1975 Predictions in the Awake Magazine

OCTOBER 8,1966

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The Bible translation regularly used in 'Wwabe!" Is the ROW World Translf Ion of the Haly Serif ures, 1961 edition.

When other traiisla:ionr are used, this ir clesriy marked.

CONTENTS A Question That Needs Answering

M a n Created Free

4

IS God to Blame for Man's Wrongs?

7

W h o Is Principally Responsible?

10

W h y Bas Wickedness Been Permitted for So Long?

13

How Much Longer Will It Be?

17

1/ I

W k a t God Has Been Doing on Our Behalf W h a t God Will Do for Man in Paraciise W h a t You Should Do Now "Your Word Is Truth" W h y , Then, Does God Permit Wickedness?

Watching the World

21 23 26

28 30

\B"r "It i s elready the hour for you to awake:' -Rsmons Volume XLVll

13 :11

B r o o k l y n , N . Y . , October 8 , 1966

N u m b e r 19

A Question That Needs Answering HE history of the human family is not a particularly pleasant one. It is T filled with the record of man's inhumanity

over again individual or to man. Over collective acts of wickedness have plunged large segments of humankind into brutality and bloodshed. As man's inventiveness has progressed, so has his capacity to cause grief.

In all this record of wickedness, the innocent, decent people all too often suffer. They are frequent1.y victims of violence, perhaps losing homes, loved ones, or their o m lives. You may or may not have experienced these things personally.

Yet mental suffering due to injustices, unkindness and disloyalty may produce even greater misery, and you are not likely to have escaped such.

Thinking men a d women throughout the ages have wondered why it is this way.

Sooner or later they ask the all-important question: "16% there is a God, why does he permit all this wickedness?" Because sf not having found the answer to this critical question, many have abandoned belief in God. Irm fact, today some are even saying that "God is dead."

Philosophers and religious leaders throughout the ages have pondered the problem. Yet, their accumulated ideas are conflicting. As the book Basic Teachings of the Great Phibsophers (1945 edition, OCTOBER 8, 1966

page 296) describes it, "One philosopher will offer his solution and many will hail it as the answer. But it will not be long before another philosopher will discover a ~ point d to errors in his patterns, will reveal gaps and distortions, and will propose a somewhat different solution, one which seems to him more nearly perfects2' And why is this? Because, as the same book comments, even a great philosophei? "does not fashion a perfect picture. Only a God vi7ko knows all experiences of all men and can detect the finest relations can weave a perfect pattern. No philosspher, however great, is such a God." The fundamental truth of that cannot be denied. No man, of himself, however wise, cm answer the question a s to why God permits wickedness. But God c a ~ .

And he does!

Consider this for a moment: If you wanted to h o w the views of someone, would it not be best to let him express himself instead of listening to hearsay about him? Then, since it is God who permits wickedness, it wodd only be fair and right to listen to his explanation as to why he has allowed wickedness to exist.

To begin with, let us e x m i n e the matte-~of how man was created. %his will aid us in determining how wickedness could ever arise within the human family in the first place. d

OULD you like someone to dic-

then forced you never to deviate from that course by even a hair's breadth?

.a

to choose what kind of work you will do, where you will live, what you will eat and what you will wear?

The answers to those questions are obvious. No balanced human wants to created a bad thing? lose complete control of his life. This can No, it was a good thing. The Bible is exbe seen even on a national scale where peo- plicit in informing us that all the things ple are dominated by harsh, dictatorial God created were good. I t states: "God governments. These oppressive govern- saw everything that he had made and, ments stifle happiness and initiative. They look! it was very good." (Gen. 1:31) Cenalso cause such pressures of resentment turies later the man Moses stated of the to build up that often an outbreak is made Creator: "Perfect is his activity."-Deut. for freedom.

32 :4.

Freedom a Marvelous G i f t The desire for freedom is no accident.

The Bible tells us that, in addition to life, God gave Adam, his first human creation, a most precious gift. That marvelous gift was free moral agency. Man was not to be a human robot, an automaton. He was endowed with the ability to choose, and that is an ability that we all use each day.

-Josh. 24:15; Gen. 1:1,26-28.

If God had purposed that humans be e merely automatons, machinelike, l ~ would not have equipped them with intellectual powers, powers of perception, judgment, decision and reason. As a robot, man would no more have need for such mental faculties than would a piece of machinery or a vegetable.

Was the freedom with which man was 4

What Human Perfection Means God created the first man and woman perfect, that is, complete, without a defect in their physical organism. But did this perfection mean that they could do nothing but good? No, for while perfect, complete in their mental and physical faculties, they still had freedom of choice.

If they were compelled to do what was good, then i t could not be said that they were truly free to choose.

In addition, Adam was still a man, an earthling, made of flesh and blood. He was perfect, it is true, but perfect in his limited q k e r e as a human. For instance, man could not live in outer space without oxygen, for he was not a spirit creature.

Nor could he stay underwater indefinitely without special equipment, for he was not AWAKE!

a sea creature. Also, he must always eat food and drink liquids to stay alive. But these and other human limitations did not mean he was less than perfect. He was still perfect, but within the limits of humankind.

Nor did his perfection mean he knew everything. He would have to learn many things. All learning did not come automatically with perfection. In fact, even of Jesus Christ, God's Son, who as a man was also perfect, we read: "Although he was a Son, he learned obedience." So under God's direction Adam could learn many things as time progressed. He could also come to appreciate more fully why God is the only one worthy of his worship, and that serving God is, without exception, the right and best thing to do. He could see how wonderful God is, what a marvelous gift his free moral agency was, and, of his own free will, could want to serve such a God.-Heb. 5: 8.

But if Adam was perfect, how was it possible for him to go wrong, to sin?

Remember, he was a free moral agent.

He could choose to ignore vital facts of a question, or to arrive a t a decision based on one-sided testimony. He could also meditate long enough on what was wrong to have this motivate him to wrong action, as the Bible says: "Each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin."

Adam's perfection would not immunize him from error if he deliberately refused to ponder well both sides of a matter, or if he continued to entertain desires that were in opposition to God's law. His perfection did not mean he was infallible.

-Jas. 1:14, 15.

That the creature's individual will and choice, rather than perfection, are the determining factors readily becomes evident. If we were to insist that a perfect OCTOBER 8, 1966

man could not take a wrong course where a moral issue was involved, should we not also logically argue that an imperfect creature could not take a right course where such moral issue was involved? Yet today some imperfect creatures do take a right course on moral issues involving obedience to God, even choosing to suffer persecution rather than change from such a course; while a t the same time others deliberately engage in doing what they know is wrong. Thus not all wrong actions can be excused by human imperfection. The deciding factors are the individual's will and choice. In the same way, it was not human perfection alone that would guarantee right action by the first man, but, rather, his own will and choice motivated by love for his God and for what is right.

God's Guidance Vital For his own protection, man needed God's guidance and direction. He was not to be free from God and His regulations.

The reason why is so vital, so fundamental, that unless man appreciated its significance, he would come into grave difficulty. It is this: Man was not made to govemz iindependently of God. In fact, he could not live witliaout God. God did not give man the right or the ability to govern without Him, because it was never purposed that man be independent from God, his Creator. Freedom was to be relative, maintained within proper limits, limits that would work for man's good and contribute to his happiness. That is why God inspired his prophet Jeremiah to write: "I well know, Q Jehovah, that to earthling man his way does not belong. I t does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his step.

Correct me, 0 Jehovah." It also explains why the Bible counsels: "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and do not lean

upon your own understanding."-Jer. 10: 23, 24; Prov. 3:s.

So while man was perfect as a physical organism, he must have the guidance of his God and Creator to live life successfully and manage his affairs properly. If he ever stopped accepting divine guidance and direction, his mind and intellect, though perfect. would no more resist deterioration than would his perfect body if he deprived it of organic food. Man's positive dependence on spiritual food was not in the least less vital than his dependence on material food, a fact declared both in the Mosaic law and by God's own Son. (Deut. 8:3; Matt. 4:4) If man were to refuse to accept the guidance of Almighty God over his life, then chaos would result in the human ranks, as has happened.

How was God's guidance expressed? By His regularly communicating with the human creation, as the first and second chapters of Genesis show. Their Makes would direct them by talking with them and by giving them his laws, laws that would work for their own welfare.

Hence, man's freedom was to be regulated by wise, just and loving laws, laws that would result in the happiness of t h e entire human family. These laws were to serve as a constant reminder that the welfare of men was ever dependent upon obedience to their Creator. Because free moral agents could deviate in their thinking and go in a way that would be hurtful to themselves, they would forever need their Creator to lead them in the paths sf right knowledge and happiness.

If man were to stop trusting in God and start trusting in his own wisdom alone, then he would lose his happiness. Has this occurred? Well, what do we see on earth?

Do we see the entire human family of free moral agents united in a bond of love, happy and thrilled with each day of life?

6

Or, instead, do we see earth filled with suffering, divided, perplexed, confused and unhappy people? The judgment of history and of our own time is that the latter is true. Man has lost genuine happiness, and the reason why is that he has abandoned the guidance of God. The Wrong Choice With the freedom to cB.~oose,our first pareats, Adam and his wife Eve, chose to turn their backs on God. Why, Eve even believed that by departing from God's law she and her husband would become Godlike! So they broke God's plainly stated regulation and turned aside from his direction. This was nothing less than outright rebellion against Almighty God. -Gen. 2: 16, 17; 3:1-6.

However, choosing to rebel against God would mean that they would now have to get along without the blessing and guidance of God. That is what they chose, and that is what God granted them. But man's rejection of God as his governor meant that the Creator vvould no longer sustain him in perfection. Outside God's care, the human organism would begin to break down, until eventually death overtook it. God said.: "In the sweat of your face you will eat bread until you return to the groazd, for out sf it you were taken. For dust you are and to dust you will return." He having turned to sin, his body was bound to degenerate. The close relation between the emotional state and the physical state, as relates to human health, is, medically, scientifically, and Scripturally, undeniable. Compzre Genesis 44:22, 29-34; Proverbs 3:7, 8; 4:20-22; 13:12; P4:30; P5:30; 16:24; 17:22.

I t is evident, then, that the Bible's explanation 06 matters fits the facts. Man was created perfect, but this did not mean that, as a free moral agent, he could not choose to sin.

IS-

7

\TO BLAME /

T

HE calamity that came upon Adam and Eve was their own fault. God had clearly warned them of the result if they failed to obey his righteous law; yet they chose a course of lawlessness toward God. But what about all the wickedness committed in the thousands of years since then? W!lose fault is that? Is it God's?

The Bible shows that the blame for wickedness lies in two places; one is with man himself. Let us examine his responsibility first.

When a person commits a crime, who is apprehended? Would it be right to put the innocent victim on trial ar,d c ~ n v i c t him and let the criminal go free? No, it is the criminal who is responsible for the crime he committed. We cannot hold the innocent one responsib!e for a crime he did not con~mit.In like manner, we must not hold God responsible for crimes he did not commit. We must put the biame where it belongs; on the criminals.

Remember that, although Adam's offspring, born in sin, were not perfect, they were still free moral agmts. They were OCTOBER 8, 1966

free to choose to do right or wrong, just as you are to this day. Though by nature they would commit many errors, yet when they c7~oseto do wrong, it would be their own fault. That is why the Bible, at Deuteronomy 32:5, says: "They have acted ruinously on their own part; they are not [C+d's] children, the defect is their own."

True, many innocznt people who try to do good are victimized by the wicked deeds of others. But here again, the innocent must appreciate that it is the wicked criminal who is responsible for their hurt, not God. Furthermore, God is not oblivious to their plight, and we will later see how he has taken action to deliver them from their unfortunate circumstances, and to erase m y hurt they have unjustly received.

Tendency t o Shift Blame So, then, much of the wickedness perpetrated for the past thousands of years can be traced to man's own doing. He cannot shift the responsibility for his own wrongdoing onto God, although this is what many try to do. Why, even Adam, when called to account for his transgression, tried to avoid responsibility by saying the cause for his dereliction was "the woman whom you [God.] gave to be with me." Since God gave him the woman who later induced him to rebel, Adam selfishly reasoned that, not only the woman, but Gcd himself must bear responsibility for his wrong action. However, it was not God who did the wrong. And the Bible assures us that "Adam was not deceived."

He was compatent to make a choice. His wrongdoing was his own fault.-Gen. 3: 12; 1 Tim. 2:14.

Throughout history humans have been plagued by a tendency similar to Adam's, to blame God for the evil that befalls them. In the case of some, they follow the dictates of their own will and violate 7

God's laws. when they are apprehended for their lawlessness, they may feel that God is a t fault for not preventing the outcome. But why did they break God's law?

While there can be no doubt that some persons are genuinely perplexed and are seeking to know the reason for God's permission 06 wickedness, the sincerity of many others who strongly criticize God is open to question. Are they really honest in their insistence that God is a t fault because he did not forcibly prevent man's deviation from righteousness a t its very inception? Where, then, is the proof that they as individuals personally desire stricter control by God or where is the proof that even a sizable majority of mankind a t any time has manifested a desire that God use his power to inhibit their wrong ways or block them in their wrong pursuits? If they do not want this for themselves, why should we believe they really would want i t for our first parents? Are they not like the person who heartily cheers law enforcement but reacts resentfully when a traffic policeman approaches him?-Ezek. 18:29-32.

When entire nations behave criminally, can they blame God if disaster befalls then?? If they cast out God's commandments, can they blame God for their suffering? When human governments fail because they are not doing God's will, they are to blame for the unl'happiness they bring upon the people.

Sickness and Disease But what about all the suffering that comes from sickness and disease? Even persons who try to do good get sick, through no fault of their own. And an infant can get some illness and be maimed for life, or even die. Certainly it was no fault of the infant.

In regard to all such sickness, disease and pain, we must put the blame where 8

i t belongs, on the rebellion of Adam and Eve. Note what Romans 5:12 says: "'Through one man [Adam] sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men." Also, Job 14:4 declares : 'Who can produce someone clean out of someone unclean?"-Ps. 51:5; Luke 5:18-25.

If, as an example, certain human parents ignore the divine law and live immorally, and so contract venereal disease, whose fault is it if their children are born physically or mentally impaired? It is the fault of such ' h c l e a n " parents.

So, too, our first parents became "unclean," imperfect, prone to sickness, and finally death. They could only pass on to their offspring what they themselves had: imperfection, sickness and liability to death. That is why we all suffer from illness and disease today.

False Religion Shares Blame The traditional religions have often attributed to God the calamities that man experiences. Many of earth's population are taught that poverty, filth and ignorance are God's will for them. Religious tradition tells hundreds of millions in some countries that a cow is more sacred than a man, and that, even though the man may be starving, the cow cannot be used for food. But God's Word says it can. (Gen. 9:3; 1 Cor. 10:25) Thus, religions that are not based on God's Word increase man's difficulties, while, a t the same time, saying that such difficulties are the will of God. Other millions learn from different systems of religious tradition that it is God's will for a few political and religious rulers to dominate, while the rest of the population must render them unquestioned obedience, even if it means sacrificing their lives in unrighteous warfare. The people attribute the resulting carnage to AWAKE!

God, since their religion teaches them it is God's will for them to kill. Eut God's Word does not so teach.-Acts 5:27-29; Jer. 2: 34.

No, God is not to blame for the hurt and injustice resulting from man's own wrongdoing, even if it is religious, even if it Is claimed that this is from God. Religious systems instituted fiendish inquisitions during the "dark ages," causing the torture of men and women. But where does God authorize such horrible crimes? Nowhere! For example, in regard to the pagan practice in ancient Israel of burning childr2n to false gods, Jehovah stated: "They have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, in order to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, a thing that I had not commanded and t7mt had not come up into my heart:' When God condemns what men do, he can hardly be charged with the blame for it.-Jer. 7: 31.

Wrongs committed in the name of religion are especially disgusting to God. As Jesus said to the religious leaders in his day: "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you resemble whitewashed graves, which outwardly indeed appear beautiful but inside are full of dead men's bones and of every sort of uncleanness. In that way you also, outwardly indeed, appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."-Matt.

23 :27, 28.

The lawless deeds of false religion cannot be blamed on God, for he does not sanction religious hypocrisy and cruelty.

The mere fact that a religious movement claims a long history of hundreds of years should not be allowed to blind us to the truth. If it is operating contrary to the clearly expressed will of God in his Word, then the hurt they cause is strictly of their own making.

OCTOBER 8, 1966

Proper Attitude It is not the course of wisdom for innocent victims of wicked deeds to blame God instead of those guilty. There are thousands of men and women who desire to do good and who share the troubles produced by wicked men, but who patiently wait upon God for the realization of all the good promises he has made.

They know that God has tolerated wickedness and wicked people for a reason, but that when his time limit is up the wicked ones will be called to account. The patient, righteously disposed ones will then benefit. Tne Bible counsels: "Do not show yourself heated up because of the evildoers . . . Hope in Jehovah and keep his way, and he will exalt you to take possession of the earth. When the wicked ones are cut off, you will see it."-Ps. 37:1, 34.

How refreshing it is to know that throughout the centuries, and especially today, there are men and women who, despite their endurance of trouble and oppression, do not blame God! Instead, they declare as did the zpostle P a d : "What shall we say, then? Is there injustice with God? Never may that become so!"--Ram. 9:14.

This attitude is the right one. We must not accuse God of acts of which he is not guilty. It is not God who passed imperfection on to us, but our first human parents. So, too, when men today, of their own free will, do wrong, they are to blame, not God. However, it was previously stated that the blame for wickedness lies in two places. We have discussed the responsibility of man for his own freewill acts of wrongdoing. But who else is responsible for the wickedness that has prevailed on earth for so long?

HEN criminals operate behind a well-planned organizational setup, with numerous fronts that appear to be quite law-abiding, it is difficult for the man in the street to penetrate the deception or believe that the unseen master schemers even exist.

The principal wicked ones whose criminal actions and policies have helped bring untold mis~riesupon the human family also work behind the scenes. But we do not have to be in ignorance of them, because God has exposed their workings so that all who desire can know of them for their own information and protection.

W

Origin of the Principal Wdeked One God helps us to identify the principal wicked one, the cunning, behind-thcscenes criminal responsible for Eve's violating God's clearly stated law. Who was this tempter of Adam's wife Eve? 'Who induced her to rebel against her r i g h t e c ~ s Creator? Who started wickedness in the universe?

The one mainly responsible for wickedness is an invisible wicked one. His invisibility should not make you doubt his

existence. The very existence of germs as disease-causing factors was once doubted.

Though beyond tne range of the naked eye, time and research established their existence. Today the precise cause of cancer is still unknown, but scientists do not simply shrug their shouldws and say, "Cancer is caused by cancer." They are certain that a causative factor exists. So, too, wickedness is not just caused by wickedness. It had a start, and its spread and plaguelike proportions also indicate an active infecting source.

When did this invisible one first make himself evident? In the third chapter of Genesis we read of a serpent's speaking to the first woman Eve, and speaking in direct opposition to Jehovah God. God had said that disobedience to his laws would mean death. Now the serpent said the opgosite: "You positively will not die."'

In faci, the sarpent went on to tell Eve: "Yow eyes ar2 bound to be opened and you are bound to be like God." Eve believed this wicked, lying s p e ~ c hand disobsysd God. Then she induced her husballd to join her in rebellion.-Gen. 3:4, 5.

Bnt x ~ h oactually instilled the idea of rebeuion in the mind of Eve? 'Was i t a mere ?eptile, a snake that has no speech orgsm? So, there must have been someone kehind the serpent malting it appear as il he snake were talking. We know that a skilied ventriloquist can make it appear as if an animal or even a dummy is talking, when this is not the case a t all. How ~ a u c hmore could a superhuman invisible intdligent creature do so! The Bible, a t Revelation 12:9, identifies that powerful spirit creature, speaking of him as "the original serpent." He is clearly identified as being Satan the Devil!

Here, then, is man's hated enemy and the one mainly responsible for all wickedness throughout the earth today!

Succumbed to Wrong Desire Obviously, the God 'whose activity is perfect' would not deliberately create a wicked one. (Deut. 32:4) He would not create intelligent creatures with whom he could not associate. Such would be ronlrary to reason.-Ps. 5:4-6; 15: 1, 2.

When God created that invisible spirit, as he did many others, that creature was perfect. He was complete, without defect as a spirit creation, though, like Adam, not infallible. This particular creature apparently was interested in Adam and Eve and the Bible shows that he got in touch with %I?em.-Job 38:7; Gen. 3:l-15.

But how could a perfect creature of high intelligence turn to wickedness, since that spirit creature had no tempter, as did the woman Eve? The Bible answers that it was by the entertaining of a wrong idea. There is nothing wrong in itself with seeing the possibilities in a certain situation. For example, a person in someone else's home may see a watch lying on a table. The possibility of his picking that watch up and putting i t in his pocket is evident, but he may not even consider it; or, if the idea does suggest itself, he may immediately dismiss it. But if he retains the idea and allows it to develop and grow, then the process of wrongdoing has been initiated and he may well commit the act of wickedness it suggests.

So, too, with the perfect spirit creature.

The possibility of using the human pair for his own purpose rather than that indicated by God was there, and he not only considered it but also failed to dismiss it from his mind, and it led to sin.-Aas. 1: 14, 15; 1 Tim. 3:6.

The fact that God granted a generous measure of intellectual freedom does not make him responsible for everything a creature does. Does any creature need to view freedom as a license to do wrong?

Do you feel that it entitles you to rob

or to kill your neighbor, or vice versa?

Freedom is a wonderfui thing, but it should not be perverted. The Bible says: "Be as free people, and yet holding your freedom, not as a blind for moral badness, but as slaves of God."-1 Pet. 2:16.

The Ones Principally Responsible Responsibility for world wickedness, then, rests primarily with Satan the Devil.

He is the one to blame, as the Bible explicir!y shows a t 1John 5 :19: "The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one." But the Bevil is not the only iavisible wicked one. The Holy Scriptures also make clear that Christians "have a fight, not against blood and flesh, but against . . . the wicked spirit forces in the heavenly places." (Eph. 6: 12) So other wicked spirits, demons, are also responsible for oppressive wickedness.-Rev. 12:9.

But why did angels of God turn themselves into demons? Again it was a matter of wrong desire. The Bible informs us that a minority of angels left their assigned duties due to improper desire and then came under the leadership of their fellow rebel, the Bevil. (Gen. 6:2; 2 Pet. 2 :4,5; Jude 6) Together, they have caused all manner of woes for men, women and children. What oppression has come upon mankind because of the Devil and his demons! The Bible tells us, for instance, that Jesus Christ "went through the land doing good and healing all those oppressed by the Devil." (Acts 10:33) Yes, the Devil was the orie mainly responsible for their unhappy plight. So, too, dishonesty, cheating, deception, lying and terrible crimes of violence have Seen perpetrated and wars instigated throughout the earth because of the Devil and demons! (John 8 ~ 4 4 ;Heb. 2 ~ 1 4 )They are the ones principally responsible for wickedness on earth!

Respl~onsibCEEty ffs Present Woes The Bible foretold that there would be a vast increase in every kind of crime in our day. And the reason for this is shown clearly by the Bible to be that Satan and his demons have been cast right down to the vicinity of the earth: "Woe for the earth and for the sea, becaiise the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time."

-Rev. 12:12.

Other prophecies concerning the time in which we live, such as a t Second Timothy chapter 3, and Matthew chapter 24, tell of the vast wickedness we now see on every hand, This has come about because demon-inspired men have permitted their minds to be led into the course of wrongdoing. Knowing that they have "a short period of time," the great criminal Satan and his demon hordes are viciously trying to drag down with them as many humans as they can overreach and coerce into rebelling against God. A principal means of doing this on a mass scale is wicked governments that have the power to hurt millions a t a time.

In fact, the Holy Bible fittingly speaks of human governments under LJe symbol of injurious and destructive wild beasts.

(Dan. 8:l-8, 20-25) As noted in the thirteenth chapter of Revelation, Satan himself has been the one who has empowered these ruling authorities. He is the "god of this system of things." (2 Cor. 4:4) He it is who has instigated their oppressive rule, their horrible wars, and their persecutions of God-fearing persons. He has caused these governments to take to themselves rights and powers that only God can safely exercise. He has promoted all the blasphemies against God that those national sovereignties have uttered. Thus, when we see nations a t one another's throats today, i t is not because God is their ruler. It is because they are part

4:5-8. of Satan's organization.-Luke So tne terrible woes of wickedness we see a t the present time are not from Almighty God. They are mainly caused by mankind's great enemies, Satan the Devil and his hordes of demon angels.

Influence over Man Not Unlimited While the seif-made Satan the Devil induced Adam and Eve to join in his wicked rebellion against God's authority, we must remember that he could not compel them to do wrong. Adam and Eve were not so weak and incompetent that they were unable to resist. The Bible says: "Oppose the Devil, and he will flee from you." Our first parents were completely capable of telling this lying spirit creature that they would not go along with him.

Centuries later the perfect man Jesus proved that this could be done, for he said to Satan: "Go away, Satan! For it is written, 'It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.' "-Jas. 4: 7'; Matt.

4:lO. Had Adam and Eve said to Satan what Jesus did, the human family would not find itself plagued with such wickediless today. Hence, while Satan was the chief culprit, responsible for the eventual death of Adam and Eve, they were also responsible, for they could have turned aside his w o n g suggestions. But they did not.

What they did caused all their offspring, including us, to inherit imperfection, which brought with it sickness and death.--Heb. 2:14.

Yes, Satan and his demons are the ones principally responsible for past and present wickedness. But the fact that all this chaos has gone on for such a long time causes thinking persons to wonder why. mpny has God permitted wickedness for so long? Why has it gone on for nearly 6,000 years now?

AWAKE!

;MOST s i x thousand y e a r s of h u m a n history have produced a long record of suffering, tears and death.

The sympathetic mind cannot but feel for the tormented generations of the past, as well as for our-own.

Why has all this been permitted for so long? God's Word gives the definite and satisfying answers. It tells us of the various issues involved that needed settling. It shows us, too, that in God's unsurpassed wisdom he is following a course that will work out for the greatest good to all creation.

Are you sincerely interested in learning why God has permitted wickedness for so long? Then appreciate that there are a number of interrelated reasons, and that only a full explanation truly satisfies. If your own reputation were a t stake, would you feel that others were fair if they demanded an explanation but then walked away almost as soon as you started to talk? Of course not! So, then, let's consider carefully what the Bible says about why God has permitted wickedness for so long.-Prov.

18:13.

u Eve, but, with a view to the future blessing of their then-unborn offspring, allowed them to produce children. (Gen. 22:18; Gal. 3:8) How grateful we should be that he did so!

In passing judgment on that rebel spirit creature who had made a Devil out of himself by lying against God, Jehovah stated in symbolic language his purpose for the future. (Gen. 3:15) The Devil would not be immediately destroyed but would be allowed to exist for a time period that God himself determined, in order to settle for all time the issues that had been raised there in Eden.

Had the issue been simply one of superior power, i t could have been settled by a fight to the finish right then. But there is no evidence that Satan challenged God's strength. Rather, the account in Genesis shows that i t was a moral issue. He disputed God's truthfulness, and, as revealed later in the Bible, he called into question the integrity of all God's creatures toward God's universal sovereignty. (Gen. 3 :1-5; Job 1:7-12) The settling of such an issue in a satisfying way would require time.

Not an Issue of Superior Force When rebellion broke out in Eden, God did not delay in taking action. The third chapter of Genesis shows that God promptly called to account all who were involved and passed sentence on them in harmony A Set Time with his righteous law. (Gen. 3:8-19) As we look back on the history of God's However, God did not immediately carry dealings with mankind revealed in the Biout the death penalty against Adam and ble, i t is clear that, though God did not OCTOBER 8, 1966

in Eden tell those who were in rebellion agairst him how long he would tolerate wickedness, he himself set a time limit.

Centuries later he indicated that to his prophet Daniel in a message through one of His holy angels. At that time, long before the start of our Common Era, he said concerning the end of this wicked system: "The end is yet for the time appointed."

--Dan. 11:29.

Nearly six thousand years from Adam's rebellion until our day may seem like an extremely long period of time when viewed from the standpoint of humans who live only about seventy years. But, remember, i t is God who set the time, so it is his viewpoint that counts. Concerning his concept of time, the Bible tells us a t Psalm 90:4: "A thousand years are in your eyes but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch during the night." A year is a long time to a child who has lived only five years, but to a man who is sixty it is comparatively short. Likewise, to God, who lives for eternity, a thousand years is like a day! Prom his standpoint, his toleration of wickedness has not yet lasted six full days.

Certainly that has been no injustice to us. I t is because of God's long-suffering that we have had opportunity to live a t all, because all of us are descendants of Adam. And even under imperfect conditions life is cherished; yes, even in sickness we cling to it. But the fact that God did not cut short his long-suffering a t some earlier time, but has allowed it to continue until our day, affords opportunity for more than a brief existence for us under imperfect conditions.

To help us appreciate this, the apostle Peter wrote: "Jehovah is not slow respecting his promise, as some people consider slowness, but he is patient with you because he does not desire any to be destroyed but desires aU. to attain to repen-

ta.nce. Furthermore, consider the patience of our Lord as salvation." (2 Pet. 3:9, 15) So it becomes evident that God's longswgering has worked for our blessing, not our harm. Something else has been accomplished, too, and it is likewise for our beneAt*

Would the W a y of Rebellion Produce Good Results?

During the past six thousand years the Devil and men alienated from God have had full opportunity to work out their wicked schemes. By his course of action Satan set himself up as a rival ruler, challenging God's rulership. By inducing men to serve him, he has become their ruler and their god. For that reason he is called in the Bible "the ruler of this world" and "the god of this system of things." (John 42:31; 2 Cor. 4:4) It is not just a few particularly wicked persons who come under his control; rather, the Bible says that "the whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one." ( 1 John 5:19) Also, by inducing other angels to follow his rebellious course he became "ruler of the demons."-Matt.

9:34.

Would this way of rebellion prove successful? Would rulership that endeavored to ignore God ever bring lasting benefits to anyone? True, God could have wiped out the rebellion a t its start, but that would not have satisfactorily settled matters. 'Therefore, God has permitted a full measure of time for Satan to build up his organization, and for men to arrive at their peak of military might, material prosperity and scientific achievement. In this way God has enabled all intelligent creation t o see the consequences of rebellion.

What is the result? What has nearly six thousand years of rule by the Devil and men alienated from God shown? Has the AWAKE!

course of rebellion against God brought lasting happiness?

When the honest person ponders past history and the present tragic state of affairs in the world, he must realize how devoid of genuine progress the record is.

All kinds of government have been tried, but still man lacks security and enduring happiness. Can one speak of true progress when the arrow has been replaced by the atomic bomb, and when the world now staggers on the brink of another global war? What kind of progress is it when men send rockets to the moon but cannot live together in peace on earth? What good is it for man to build homes equipped with every convenience, only to have a family torn apart by divorce and delinquency? Are riots in the streets, destruction of property and life, and widespread lawlessness, something to be proud of? Not a t all! But they are the fruitage of rule that endeavors to ignore God. Surely God's long permission of rebellion and its resulting wickedness prove to all reasonable men that satisfactory rule of earth's affairs is impossible apart from God. The long time that has elapsed has proved rebellious men and angels a dismal failure, that Satan has no right to rule anywhere, and that men surely were not created with the ability to direct their affairs apart from God. Now, with the record of six thousand years of failure, never can it be said that the Creator did cot allow sufficient time for rebels to experiment. Never can anyone rightfully claim: 'They did not get a chance.' Nor can anyone say: 'If only they had had more time.'

The allotted time has been ample to prove their failure. The way of rebellion has proved to be an absolute disaster! But God will not allow them to wreck this earth. Instead, for the benefit of decent people, he will "bring to ruin those ruining the earth."-Rev. 11:18.

Legal Precedent Established In thus allowing the Devil and rebdlious men time to carry their schemes t e their limit, God has taken a long-range view of matters. Should the situation ever arise a t m y future time that any free moral agent abuses his freedom of choice and calls into question God's way of doing things, would i t be necessary for God to grant him time to make good his theories or charges? Would God allow wickedness to exist again for thousands of additional years? Absolutely not!

Having on this occasion allowed rebels to continue for their allotted time of six thousand years, God will have established a legal precedent that can be applied anywhere in the universe and throughout all eternity. It will already have been amply proved that nothing that is out of harmony with Jehovah God can prosper. God will then be f d y justified before all intelIigent creatures in swiftly crushing any rebel. "The wicked ones he will annihilate."-Ps. 145:20; Rom. 3:4.

Satm P r o ~ e da Liar

In the days of the Oriental patriarch Job, about the sixteenth century B.C.E., it was made unmistaka-bly clear that man's integrity toward 6;od was at issue, in addition to the matter of rulership. Jehovah said that there was no one like Job in the earth, yet the Devil sneered: "Is it for nothing that Job has feared God? Have not you yourself put up a hedge about him and about his house and about everything that he has all around? The work of his hands you have blessed, and his livestock itself has spread abroad in the earth. But, for a change, thrust out your hand, please, and touch everything he has and see whether he will not curse you to your very face.'"Job 1:6-12) Yes, Satan challenged that he could turn all men away from God, even the one af whom

God would say "there is no one like him in the earth."

Already Satan I ~ a dbeen trying to prove his boast since Eden. Adam failed God, but men of faith such as Abel, Enoch and Noah proved faithful to God. They served God out of love, not for material gain.

Job too declared: "Until I expire I shall not take away my integrity." (Job 27:5) Yet Satan, his mind warped by proud ambition, refused to slow down in his insane course. When the perfect man Jesus was on earth, Satan endeavored to bribe him to commit just one act that would be a breach of integrity to God. (Matt.

4:9-11) Even when slapped around by soldier guards and then nailed to a stake to die, Jesus held fast. The Devil used his agents to put Jesus to death, but he could not induce him to break his integrity to God. (Phil. 2 :8) His maintaining integrity as a perfect human proved that Adam could have done it too.

Satan has continued to bring pressure on those who are followers of Christ.

(Luke 22: 31) Clear on down to our day he has 'waged war' with those "who observe the commandments of God and have the work of bearing witness to Jesus."

(Rev. 12:17) These have been joined by "a great crowd, which no man was able to number, out of all nations and tribes and peoples and tongues," who, though living a t a time of "great tribulation," give heartfelt thanks and praise to Jehovah God and to his Son. (Rev. 7:9, 10, 14) They appreciate the moral issue a t stake and even under the most adverse circumstances are glad to have a part in contributing to the overwhelming evidence that God's way is right, that his creatures endowed with free moral agency are able to maintain integrity to him, and that they do so out of love.

God's Name and Power Proclaimed Because of his great love for mankind, God will bring an end to wickedness. At his set time, he will end the rebellioil of man and the Devil. The display of power he will unleash, and the good it will accomplish, will be the talk of ages to come!

On a universal scale it will happen as it did in ancient Egypt when God told a haughty ruler: "For this cause I have kept you in existence, for the sake of showing you my power and in order to have my name declared in all the earth."

(Ex. 9: 16) When God smashed the proud Egyptians and all their military might, the news of it spread far and wide. Years later, a person living in distant Jericho said: "We have heard how Jehovah dried up the waters of the Red Sea from before you when you came out of Egypt, . . . Jehovah your God is God in the heavens above and on the earth beneath."

-Josh. 2 :9-11.

Throughout the universe will that be said when God crushes wickedness. For all eternity men and angels will recount what God did to rid the universe of wickedness and how he brought blessings to all who love and serve him. His name will be proclaimed throughout heaven and earth when he settles accounts with Satan, his demons, and wicked people on earth. Then "they will have to know that [he is] Jehovah."-Ezek.

38 :23.

Proved for all time will be the fact that the way of rebellion against God does not work for the good of anyone. Satan will be proved to be the most monstrous liar of all time, and no god to follow. A legal precedent will have been established once and for all time for the benefit of men and angels.

But when will God thus act to wipe out wickedness? How much longer will it be?

AWAKE!

ALL

honest-hearted men a n d women everywhere keenly desire t o h o w when God will bring an end to wickedness. How much longer will it be?

The disciples of Jesus Christ were keenly interested in t h i s too. T h e y pointedly asked J e s u s : ,' "Tell us, When will these things be, and what will be the sign of your presence and of the conclusion of the system of things?" Since his second presence was to be invisible, heavenly, Jesus gave them visible signs t h a t would combine t o m a r k t h e period of t h e "time of the end," known also as the "last days." Persons living when these events occurred could know that they were living in the "last days."

-Matt. 24:3; Dan. 11:40; 2 Tim. 3:l.

However, what Jesus prophesied did not occur in his day on earth, or even for hundreds of years afterward, nor did the end come. But Jesus realized that many centuries would pass before he would come again, this time in Kingdom power, and bring an end to wickedness. During all this time he knew that men would fight many wars. That is why, before giving the visible evidences that would mark his second presence, he explained: "You are going to hear of wars and reports of wars; see that you are not F~~these things must take place, but the end is not yet."

Certainly such w m did occur during the nineteen hundred years down to our day.

-Matt. 24:6.

-"Timeof the End" Begins Next, Jesus began enumerating the OCTOBER

8,1966

world-shaking events that would mark his invisible second presence and the fact that mankind had entered the "time of the end."

Have we in this generation seen w h a t J e s u s s a i d t o look for? Yes, we have!

First, Jesus said: "Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom." Has this prophecy seen fulfillment? By all means! In our generation the world has been involved in a war that saw the mobilizing of entire nations and kingdoms i n s u c h a way that it stood out as different from any preceding war. In recognition of the fact t h a t the war of 1914-1918 was different from any previous one in human history, historians called it The Great War or The World War. It was the &st war of its kind in history.-Matt.

24:7, 8.

Indicating the tremendous change that the first world war made in human history, the New York Times 2Magaxine of August 1, 1954, said: "The first war . . . closed a long era of general peace and began a new age of violence in which the second war is simply an episode. Since 1914 the world has had a new character Thus the first World War marks a turning point in modern history." This generation alone has experienced the fulfillment of this Part of the sign Jesus gaveJesus included other features to look for, too, saying: "There will be great earthquakes, and in one place after another pestilences and food shortages." (Luke 21:ll) How true has this description of events been since 1914! What an increase 17

...

we have experienced in these calamities!

Major earthquakes have become regular occurrences. On March 6, 1960, the New York Times reported: "Ten or more major earthquakes shake the earth every year. The smallest of them releases about a thousand times more energy than an atomic bomb of the type that destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki." Peru, Morocco, Algeria, Japan, Chile, Iran, Colombia, Libya, Yugoslavia, India, Alaska and numerous other places have suffered severely from earthquakes in just the past few years.

And what about pzstilences? Following World War I the Spanish influenza alone took about 20,000,000 lives. And of food shortages a report in Look magazine of June 11, 1946, observed: "A fourth of the world is starving today. Tomorrow will even be worse. Famine over most of the world now is more terrible than most of us can imagine. . . . There are now more people hunting desperately for food than a t any other time in history." And, because of the population explosion that has taken place since 1946, the Director General of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization reported in 1964 that half of the world's population was then suffering from hunger or rnalnutrition. Since then the situation has not improved.

All the other features of the sign Jesus gave have also found fulfillment since 1914. For a certainty then, 1914 marked the beginning of the last days! This beginning coincided with Satan's ouster from heaven by the enthroned King Jesus Christ. Speaking of this unparalleled time of distress, the Bible says: "Woe for the earth and for the sea, because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time."

-Rev. 12:12.

We are in this "'short period'-f woe

right now! Satan, knowing his time is limited, turns his fury upon all. In every field of endeavor he influences leaders and common man alike to acts of selfishness and violence, and all the world is in confusion. Anyone who reads a newspaper or listens to the news can see the fulfillment of Bible prophecy in our day. Of this time the Bible foretold: "In the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of thernselves, lovers of money, self-assuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankEul, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having a form of godly devotion but proving false to its power; . . . wicked men and impostors ~ v i ladvance l from bad to worse."

-2 Tim. 3 :1-13.

When? This Generation!

So it was to our generation that Jesus referred when he added the key thought: "This generation will by no means pass away until all these things occus." (Matt.

24:34) The generation that saw the beginning of woes in 1914 would also see the end of Satan and his entire wicked system of things. Some who were alive then would still be alive when '"he end9' comes.

It is to be carefully noted that the youngest of those who saw with understanding the developing sign of the end of this system of things from its start in 1914 are now well over sixty years of age!

In fact, the greater part of the adult generation that experienced the start of the "last days" has already passed away in death. The generation to which they belonged is now well along toward its complete passing away.

AWAKE?

human history will come to an end.

The Bible shows that when God began to shape the earth for human habitation, he worked for six "days," or time periods.

From the indications in God's Word, each was apparently 7,000 years in length.

Then, Genesis 2:2 states, Jehovah "proceeded to rest on the seventh day from all his work that he had made." This seventh day, God's rest day, has pro"'Times of the Nations" gressed nearly 6,000 years, and there is Bible chronology also verifies that the still the 1,000-year reign of Christ to go "last days" began in 1914. One prophecy before its end. (Rev. 20:3, 7) This seventh based on chronology has to do with what 9,000-year period of human existence Jesus mentioned when he stated that "Je- could well be likened to a great sabbath rusalem will be trampled on by the na- day, pictured by the sabbath day God tions, until the appointed times of the commanded ancient Israel to keep after nations are fulfilled." (Luke 21:24) What working for six days. (Ex. 20:8-10; 2 Pet. Jesus referred to was a definite period 3 8 ) After six thousand years of toil and of time when God would have no repre- bondage to sin, sickness, death and Sasentative government in the earth. The tan, mankind is due to enjoy a rest and last such was ancient Israel, with its capi- is in dire need of a rest. (Heb. 4:l-11) tal in Jerusalem.

Hence, the fact that we are nearing the In the year 607 B.C.E. Jerusalem was end of the first 6,000 years of man's existrampled on by the Babylonians. Daniel tence is of great significance.

4:16 notes that "seven times" would pass.

Does God's rest day parallel the time At the end of those "times" God would man has been on earth since his creation? set up his heavenly government, his King- Apparently so. From the most reliable dom, under Christ "in the midst of [his] investigations of Bible chronology, harenemies."-Ds. 110:2. monizing with many accepted dates of Those "seven times,"hccording to the secular history, we find that Adam was Bible timetable, would be a period of 2,520 created in the autumn of the year years, beginning its count from 607 B.C.E. 4026 B.C.E. Sometime in that same year This reckoning of time brings us to the Eve could well have been created, directly year 1914.* And that is no accident! It after which God's rest day commenced. harmonizes completely with the visible In what year, then, would the first 6,000 sign Jesus gave, which we have seen ful- years of man's existence and also the first dilled since 1914.

6,000 years of God's rest day come to an end? The year 1975." This is worthy of no6,000 Years Completed in 1975 tice, particularly in view of the fact that There is another chronological indica- the "last days" began in 1914, and that the tion that we are rapidly nearing the clos- physical f a d s of our day in fulfillment of ing time for this wicked system of things. prophecy mark this as the last generation It is the fact that shortly, according to of this wicked world. So we can expect reliable Bible chronology, 6,000 years of

The time left, then, is definitely limited, and it is very short. Note, too, that Jesus pointedly said "this generation will by rto means pass away until all these things occur." So we should not look for the passing away of all members of that generation. The end of this wicked system of things will come before all members could pass away.

P

* F o r details, see "Your Will Be Done on Earth," Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, pages 94103.

OCTOBER 8, 1966

" See the book Life Elrer1asti.n.q-in Freedom of tBLe S'ona of God, Watch Tcwer Bible and Tract Society, pages 29-35.

the immediate future to be filled with Of course, as to the precise day and thrilling events for those who rest their hour of the end, Jesus noted that knowlfaith in God and his promises. It means edge of this was in the province of his that within relatively few years we will heavenly Father alone. (Matt. 24:36) But witness the fulfillment of the remaining when a brief period of years a t the most prophecies that have to do with the "time separates us from the great windup of this old system, the vital thing is to stay of the end."

Which prophecies a-re yet to be fulfilled? spiritually awake.-Luke 21 :34-36.

So how much longer will i t be? The According to the Bible book of Daniel, the "king of the north" answer is: 'Not long, -----(the ruling factors of a for the end of wickCOMIrgG 3N THE NEXT MUE / edness is near.' Not totalitarianism, par* What R e m e d y for a World Torn ticdarly world com- r with Violence? ) much longer will JernUniS-m) a n d t h e w The Battle Against Mind-twisting LSD. hovah God tolerate ,When Speech Becomes Pleasurable. the wicked system of "king of the south" Earth's Giant Seesaw-the Monsoon.

I I things that has con(the ruling factors of tL ~ - r ~ .---- ~ - " ~ ~ democracy, particutinually reproached larly the Anglo-American combine) are to his name and often blamed him for its failclimax their struggle for world domination, ures. Xot much longer will he permit resulting in considerable agitation and false religious systems and godless polisubstantial loss, particularly for the "king ticians to deceive the people and run things of the south." (Dan. 11:40-43) The Bible to suit their selfish inclinations. Not much also foretells that God's servants will be longer will the Almighty permit Satan the focus of a final all-out attack by Sa- and his demons to stay active at the earth. tan and his entire organization of demons To escape the threshing that God will and earthlings. (Ezek. 38:l-16) Addition- inflict upon this wicked system of things ally, that great empire of false religion, it is vital that we quickly heed his word called in the Bible "Babylon the great," of warning given through the prophet is to experience God's adverse judgment Zephaniah : "Seek righteousness, seek when i t is ripped to pieces. (Rev. 18:2, 8) meekness. Probably You may be concealed a f t e r that the other elements of Satan's in the day of Jehovah's anger." (~ep:;. system will go down in destruction, his 2:3) And as we do so let us Put our trust commercial and political systems, both of and confidence in our Great Creator, for which have contributed heavily toward he is not merely the Thrower Down of the suffering of mankind. Finally, Satan enemies- He is also the Builder UP of and his demons will be abyssed.-Rev. those who look to him for direction.

In fact, he has from ancient times been 19:19-21; 16:16; 20: 1-3. doing things on behalf of all those who End Near would eventually receive the gift of life What cataclysmic times are fast ap- a t his hands. He has been showing love proaching! A climax in man's history is for us long before we could ever begin a t the door! How vital, then, for each one to demonstrate love for him. Let us note who loves life to take note of these evi- what he has been doing in our behalf dences of history that point to the near during the long period of wicked rule on end of this wicked system! earth.

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AWAKE!

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HE rule of rebellious men

T

a n d demons h a s been dragging the human family steadily downward these many centuries. On the o t h e r hand, J e h o v a h has been taking positive steps to uplift and save mankind!

Our Creator has not callously ignored the sufferings of honest-hearted persons. Rather, during all the centuries of wickedness, he has been making loving provisions to release humans from the grip of sin and death.

The Ransom As a result of hi5 rebellion, Adarn lost the right to perfect life and eventually died. His descendants inherited sin and death. But God has provided a way to restore life to deserving ones of Adam's offspring, while at the same time upholdine - His own law.

How? By a ransom, by having a human creature with the right to perfect life surrender it so that his right could be applied on behalf of others. This would proceed in harmony with a legal principle that God himself later embodied in the Mosaic law-"life for life." This would provide relief, not for the willful sinner Adam, but for his offspring, who, through no choice of their own, suffered the effects of his wrong.-Deut.

19:21, Rev. Stan. Ver. But is this not an awkward, roundabout way of going about it? Could not God merely have decreed to free Adam's offspring from the effects of Adam's sin?

No, not without going contrary to his own laws. And nothing causes greater disrespect for law and contributes more to a breakdown of law observance than for high officials to sidestep the law. The highOCTOBER

8, 1966

e r the official, the greater the damage. So the highest 0%cial, Jehovah, set the example for all creation by upholding his law. By providing a ransom, , God acknowledges the claims of his own justice in sentencing Ada m t o death, a n d t h e laws of inheritance by which we i n h e r i t s i n a s Adam's offspring. A t t h e same time he makes provision for relieving deserving ones.

Since the life that Adam lost was a perfect one, only a perfect human could provide the ransom. But no natural offspring of Adam could do so, for all were born imperfect.-ps.

49:1.

Shortly after man,s rebellion, God began giving clues regarding the one he would use to free mankind from sin and death. Through the inspired prophets he revealed much information about this corning Ransomer. Then, nineteen centuries ago, God transferred the life of his only-begotten spirit Son to the womb of a Jewish virgin. God's Son was thus born without Adam's imperfection.

When he reached maturity, this Son of God, Jesus Christ, maintained integrity to his Father under the severest test that Satan could bring upon him, death upon a torture stake. He willingly laid down his right to the perfect human life he had as one who kept all of God's laws. Jesus could then offer the value of that life to God to redeem what Adam lost-life, perfect human life. Jesus thus "gave himself a corresponding ransom for all."-1 Tim. 2:6.

What a wonderful thing God has done for man! He offered his dearest creation so that humans could receive everlasting

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life! As the Bible puts it: "God loved the world so much that he gave his onlybegotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life."-John 3:16.

The Kingdom In addition to providing a ransom, God has been making preparations for a heavenly government that will carry out his purpose to make earth a paradise home for righteous people. Knowing that man was not made to govern independently from him, God began developing this government to admiriister man's affairs inz righteousness.

Jehovah inspired the recording s f many prophecies about the ruler of that government, and what he would accomplish.

When Jesus Christ came to earth he fulfilled all the many prcphecies about th2t king-to-be. Hence, he proved to be, not only the Ransomer, but also the future ruler in the heavenly goverramoiid over mankind. And what ruler ever accomplished in a lifetime as much good as Jesus did in his brief ministry? He even healed the sick and raised the dead. No wonder Godfearing persons could loolr forward to his heavenly rule over mankind!

A kingdom, or government, also has administrators. Will any others share with Jesus in ruling over earth? Yes. The evening before his death Jesus promised his dose earthly associates: "'I am coming again and will receive you hoine t o myself." Those who join Jesus in heaven become with him '" kingdom and priests to our God, and they will rule as kings over the earths7''Together with Jesus, this limited number make up the heavedy government that will bring eternal blessings to humankind.--John 14:2, 3; Rev. 5:IO; 14:l-3; 20:6.

So down through the ages, Jehovah God has laid all the necessary groundwork for

the everlasting happiness of the human family. And now, in our day, he has taken a direct hand in earth's affairs!

Kingdom Established in Heaven All the evidence in fulfillment of Bible prophecy indicates that God's heavenly kingdom under Christ began to rule in 1914, coinciding with the beginning of the "time of the end." The first act of the Kingdom was "L cast Satan and his den~onsout of heaven down to the vicinity sf the earth.-Ps. lf0:1, 2; Rev- f2:7-12.

Since that time God has caused to be carried out a worldwide preaching work in fulfillment of the prop&ecy at Matthew 24:14. As a result, many thousands of persons from all nations are being liberated from boridage to Satan's organization, particularly the false religious part.

These persons acknowledge themselves loyal subjects of the heavenly kingdom and are demonstrating the effectiveness of that government. Vnder its direction they have learned to become law-abiding, moral and upright, persons of integrity.

Tney no longer war against one another.

The rioting, hatred, crime and hypocrisy that disrupt this world have ceased to be problems within the ranks of the more than one million witnesses of Jehovah, subjects of Gcd9s now-ruling heavenly government.-Isa. 2 :4.

The United Nations, with its more than a hundred member nations, has not been able to accomplish what God's kingdown has accomplished among its subjects in nearly two hundred lands today! Why is this so? Because, "unless Jehovah himsel1 builds the house, it is to no avail that its builders have worked hard on it."-Ps. 124:1.

Yes, God's government is the only right way, and i t is working marvelously now!

But what God has done so far is only the beginning. Much more will come shortly!

AWAKE!

H

OW different will be the future, when God brings an end to wickedness! Pnstead of sorrow, sickness and death, there will be happiness, vibrant health and everBasting life! The nightmare of the past will be gone forever. The joy a t that time will far outweigh all the agony man has ever experienced. All this God will do for man in paradise. As Psalm 145:16 says: "You are opening your hand and satisfying the desire of every living thing."

Could anyone else make such a promise and then keep it? Be assured that when God promises such things he ful%ills them for a certainty. Without fail, earth will be transformed into a paradise of pleasure for man's eternal delight!-Hsa. 55 :11.

The Wicked Removed All this will be made possible by the removal of the wicked a t the end of this system of things. No more will there be murder, rape and robbery, or any other OCTOBER 8, 1966

crime. Think of it! No more wickedness! No more will righteously disposed persons have to suffer a t the bands of wicked ones. As Proverbs 10:30 promises: "As for the righteous one, to time indefinite he will not be caused to stagger; but as for the wicked ones, they will not keep residing on the earth."

With wicked h u m a n s a n d wicked demons gone, righteomness will prevail earth-wide. Under the benevolent administration of God's kingdom, earth's inhabitants will no more learn what is bad. Om the contrary, "righteousness is what the inhabitants of the productive land will certainly learn."-Xsa. 26: 9; Acts 17:31.

Not only will those promoting mickehess be removed but there will also be a rolling back of all the accompanying effects and the resultant evils of the original rebellion and its introduction of wickedness.

Health Restored Yes, God will also eliminate the great unhappiness brought to humans by poor health. How many lives have been taken by cancer, heart trouble and other diseases! Thousands, yes, millions of others have suffered by being crippled, blind or deaf. Even if you enjoy a measure of health, the distressing reality In this system is that as you growr old, your eyes dm,your teeth decay, your hearing dulls, your skin wrinkles, your internal organs break down, until finally death claims another victim.

However, these distressing things that we inherited from our first parents will soon be a thing of the past! How can we

be sure? Do you remember what Jesus Christ demonstrated regarding health while he was on earth? The Bible relates: "Great crowds approached him, having along with them people that were lame, maimed, blind, d m b , and many otherwise, and they fairly threw them a t his feet, and he cured them; so that the crowd felt amazement as they saw the dumb speaking and the lame walking and the blind seeing."-Matt. 15: 30, 31.

Imagine the overwhelming happiness that will come in God's new order as all human ills are eliminated, not just in one smalI area, but earth-wide! The Creator's promise is: "No resident will say: 'I am sick.' " "At that time the eyes of the blind ones will be opened, and the very ears of the deaf ones wilI be unstopped. At that time the lame one wilI climb up just as a stag does, and the tongue of the speechless one will cry out in gladness."

-1sa. 33:24; 35:5, 6.

Will it not be thrilling to wake up each morning to a new day and realize that you are healthier than you were the day before? And will it not be gratifying for elderly persons to know that they will be more youthful as each twenty-four-how period passes, until they gradually reach the perfection of body and mind that Adam and Eve originally enjoyed?

Persons who enjoy that kind of health and happiness will not want to die, for life then will be a real blessing. And they will not have to die! Why not? Because even death will be done away with, since mankind will no longer be in the grip of inherited sin. Jesus Christ "must rule as king until God has put all enemies mGer his feet. As the last enemy, death is to be brought to nothing." We also read: "He will actually swallow up death forever."

Thus will God's promises concerning everlasting life be realized, for we are told: "The gift God gives is everlasting life by

Christ Jesus our Lord."-1 @or. 15:25, 26; Isa. 25:8; Rom. 6:23.

Summing up the benefits that will flow to the human family in paradise, the last book of the Bible says: "And [God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourming nor outcry nor pain be any more. The former things have passed away."-Rev. 21:3, 4.

Bringing Back Dead Ones But what of all those who are in the graves? What of your dear ones who have already died, such as a mother or father, perhaps even a young child?

Keep in mind that, while on earth, Jesus not only cured the sick and maimed, but also brought back dead persons from the sleep of death to demonstrate the wonderful power of resurrection God had given him. Perhaps you recall the occasion when Jesus came to the house of a man whose twelve-year-old daughter had died. Addressing himself to the dead girl, Jesus declared: "Maiden, I say to you, Get up!" What was the result? The Bible tells us: " h i d immediately the maiden rose and began walking." How did the people that saw this marvelous miracle react? "At once they were beside themselves with great ecstasy." They were overjoyed. Their happiness could hardly be contained!-Mark 5: 41, 42.

Pn paradise Jesus will use this Godgiven power to raise the dead, because "there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous."

(Acts 24:15) How great wilI be the joy earth-wide when group after group of dead persons comes back to join their loved ones! No longer will there be obituary columns to bring sadness. Instead, there may well be just the opposite: announcements of newly resurrected ones to bring joy to those who have loved them.

AWAKE!

Perfect Peace Peace in all areas of life will be realized.

Wars will be a thing of the past, for divisive national interests will disappear.

"They will not lift up sword, nation against nation, neither will they learn war any more." (Mic. 4:3) This may sound astonishing in view of the growing international crisis today, but note the Bible's promise: "Come, you people, behold the activities of Jehovah, how he has set astonishing events on the earth.

He is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth. The bow he breaks apart and does cut the spear in pieces; the wagons he burns in the fire."-Ps. 46:8, 9.

Peace will also be restored between man and beast. In this regard God declares: "For them I shall certainly conclude a covenant in that day in connection with the wild beast of the field and with the flying creature of the heavens and the creeping thing of the gromd, and . . .

I will make them lie down in security."

-Hos. 2~18.

Just how great the restored peace between man and beast will be can be noted in this prophecy: "The wolf will actually reside for a while with the male lamb, and with the kid the leopard itself will lie down, and the calf and the maned young lion and the wdl-fed animal all together; and a mere ZittZe boy will be leader over them." Never again will these animals be a threat to man, as "even the lion will eat straw just like the bull."-Isa. 11:6-9.

Earth Transformed And what of the earth itself? It will be transformed into a luxuriant paradise.

That is why Jesus could promise the evildoer that was executed with him: "You will be with me in Paradise."-Luke 23:43.

Under the direction af God's kingdom, OCTOBER 8, 1966

earth will produce plenty of good things to eat, so that hunger will never again stalk millions. "There will come to be plenty of grain on the earth; on the top of the mountains there will be an overflow." "The earth itself will certainly give its produce; God, our God, will bless us." "The tree of the field must give its fruitage, a d the land itself will give its yield, and they will actually prove to be on their soil in security."-Ps. 72 :16; 67 :6; Ezek. 34: 27.

No more will there be slums or overcrowded dwellings. Never again will people live in fear because their neighborhood is overrun with crime and rioting. "They will certainly build houses and have occupancy; and they will certainly plant vineyards and eat their fruitage. They will not build and someone else have occupancy; they will not plant and someone else do the eating." "They will actually sit, each one under his vine and under his fig tree, and there will be no one making them tremble."-Isa. 65:21, 22; Mic. 4:4.

All these things, and more, God will do for man in paradise. It is why the Bible can say: "The meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. . . . The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they 37:11, will reside forever upon it."-Ps. 29.

That is how God will more than compensate for the wickedness people have suffered during their lifetime, particularly the innocent. Throughout eternity God will shower down blessings on mankind, so that any hurt they have received in. the past will fade to a dim memory, if they remember it a t all.-Isa. 65:17.

Surely you want to live in that marvelous earthly paradise. But to live at that time and enjoy all those benefits, what must you do now?

that I may make a reply to him that is taunting me." Satan, Jehovah's chief adversary, is the one taunting him. His endeavor is to break down the integrity of anyone who worships Jehovah.

By your faithful course, share in proving that Satan is a liar and that God is true.--Prov. 27:11.

When Satan tried to turn that ancient man of faith Job away from God, deluging him with troubles, how did he react? We read: "In all this Job did not sin with his lips." Wnat a delight to see a man like that! Such a resister of the Devil brings pleasure to God's heart.-Job 2: 10.

You can be like him. And if you are, what can you expect from God? Note what happened in Job's case after the matter of his integrity was settled: "As for Jehovah, he blessed the end of Job afterward more than his beginning." That can be your happy lot, too, if you choose to serve God and uphold his righteousness.

-Job 42:12.

RE you appreciative when someone gives you something of great value?

Do you not ti-y in some way to express that appreciation? Undoubtedly you do, for it is a natural response.

Really, when you stop to consider it, has anyone given US more than our loving Creator? Think of it! "God sent forth his only-begotten Son into the world that we might gain life through him." And what glorious prospects that has provided -an eternity of happiness in an earthwide paradise! Truly, we have every reason to show God our appreciation, both in words and in deeds.-l John 4:9.

But how? What can we give God in return for his goodness to us? As the Creator of heaven and earth, he owns everything, so there is no material thing we can give him. However, there is some- Tctke In Knowledge thing we have that he will accept: o w In order to uphold God's side of matdevotion, o w love, our obedience. As free ters and make his heart glad, you must moral agents we can choose to give these first learn what he wants you to do. You to whomever we wish.-Ps. 50:10-15. cannot obey Gcd if you do not know his requirements. Where will you get the Tcake Go#s Side In these "last days" you have a grand knowledge to obey God and resist Satan opportunity to show love for the God who and his wicked crowd? The answer is: d to [God's] has made so many provisions for your "By keeping on g ~ a r according word."

(Ps. 119:9) Yes, i t is God's Word, benefit. You can make God's heart glad the Moly Bible, that provides the knowlby upholding his side of the issue regarding man's integrity. How? By being firm edge you need of his purposes and rein applying Bible principles in your home quirements.

However, hzving a Bible in your home, and everywhere else, and doing it even when confronted with wicked deeds. By and taking in the knowledge it contains, proving yourself unwavering in your de- are two different things. If you do not votion to Jehovah God and to his kingdom, gain an accurate understanding of it and rather than to the schemes of men for apply it, it will not affect your life for running the world. God's invitation is: "Be good. It is iike having the most delicious d my heart rejoice, and nutritious food in your refrigerator. wise, my son, a ~ make

A

AWAKE!

If you never eat it, it will do you no good whatsoever. In the same way, the Bible must be used, digested, to equip you to do the will of God. True, study of the Bible requires "Lime and effort. But so d ~ e sanything worth while in life. And could there be anything more worth while than working toward everlasting life? Is there anything greater than doing the will of God and making his heart glad?

But do you find the Bible difficult to understand by yourself? Do not think it strange. God knows that assistance is required to understand the deeper things of his Word. The Bible itself tells us about a high court official who had difficulty understanding God's Word. A servant of God, Philip, noted him reading aloud from the Scriptures and asked him: "Do you actually know what you are reading?"

The official answered: "Really, how could 1 ever do so, unless someone guided me?"

He did not think it beneath his dignity to ask for help. You, too, will want to have his mental attitude.--Acts 3:30, 31.

Ask for assistance in learning the truths contained in the Bible. Ask Jehovah's witnesses to st~kdythe Bible with you free of charge. They will consider it a privilege.

Disassociate from Wicked System Another thing you should do now to show your appreciation for God's loving provisions is to disassociate yourself from this wicked system of things. God's Word warns: "Do you not knou7 that the friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God." One way to avoid being a friend of the world is to '%stain from every form of wickerhess." When confronted with wrongdoing, say as did the man of God who wrote: "Get away from me, you evildoers, that I may observe the OCTOBER 8, I966

commandments of my @od.'"--Jas. 4:4; 1 Thess. 5:22; Ps. 119:115.

Disassociating yourself from this wicked system also means abandoning the false religions that are part of this world. The Bible sharply warns: "Get outof her [the world empire of false religion], Iny people, if you do not want to share with her in her sins, and if you do not want to receive part of her plagues." Hence, you must analyze your religion to see if what it teaches and practices is in harmony with a d ' s requirements. "Make sure of all things," the Bible urges. Do not assume that your religion must be right, for the Word of God clearly shows that most religicns are wrong.--Rev. 18:4; 1 Thess.

5:21; Matt. 7:13, 14, 21-23.

Not only should you abandon false religicn, but you will want to associate with those who practice true religion, with those who put Jehovah God first in their lives and prove it by being his witnesses.

This will work for your upbuilding and protection, particul.arly as the end draws near. I t is "in the congregation of loyal ones" that you will be able to do as Psalm 111:1declares: "I shall laud Jehovah with all my heart in the intimate group of upright ones and the assembly."-Ps. 149: 1; Heb. 10:25.

Act Now! This wicked system is fast approaching its end. That is why it is urgent for you to learn God's will and then do it, for Jehovah "is guarding the souls of his loyal ones; out of the hand of the wicked ones he delivers them."-Ps. 97 :10.

Do not put off lining yourself up on God's side. Act now, for his day for executing the wicked is near. Do not let it catch you unprepared! Instead, let your attitude be like that of the psalmist when he said: "Make me understand, that I may keep 1ivi~g."-Fs. '419: 144.

I

T CANNOT be avoided. No matter where you may look, wickedness exists, and people are suffering and dying.

Throughout the ages thinking persons have wondered why this is so. How did wickedness get started? Why has God permitted it to continue for so long? Will he tolerate wickedness indefinitely? Or will he end it soon? It is likely that you have asked these very questions.

To understand how wickedness began, it is vital to know how man was created.

H e was not made a robot, without freedom of choice, but was given the grand gift of free moral agency.-Josh. 24:15.

But was not the first man made perfect? Yes, at Deuteronomy 32:4 the Bible states: "The works of God are perfect."

(Catholic Douay Version) However, that did not mean man knew everything or could do everything, but he was perfect in that he was without a defect in his physical organism. For instance, man could not live in outer space without oxygen, or live underwater indefinitely without special equipment. He was perfect, but within the limits of mankind.-Gen. 1:31.

Just as man was created with the need of oxygen to breathe, so he was also made with the need of God's guidance. He was not made to govern independently of God. Why not locate your own copy of the Bible and turn in it to Jeremiah 10:23. If it is the Authorized or Kir,g James Version, you will notice there how a humble ser-

vant of God expresses the need of God's direction: "0 LORD,I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." Though not created with the ability to govern successfully without God's guidance, man was a free moral agent and could choose to ignore what God said and meditate on wrong thoughts. That is what the first human pair did, and, as a result, sin, wickedness and death were introduced 1:13-15; Gen. 2:17; into the world.-Jas. 3:6.

Who was to blame for this? Certainly not God. When humans choose to ignore God's laws and do wrong, they are responsible for the consequences. That is why the Bible, a t Deuteronomy 32: 5 says: "They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation."

(AV) Adam and Eve by their own wrong choice brought sin and death upon themall humankind were born selves. And from their degenerating bodies, the sickness and death we a l l experience were inherited from t h e m . 4 o b 14:4; Rom. 5 :12.

Man, however, is not alone in responsibility for wickedness. Someone else is even more to blame. He is the invisible spirit creature who, in contradiction of what God said would be the penalty for disobedience, enticed Eve to disobey, saying: "You positively will not die1'--Gen. 3: 1-4; Rev. 12: 9.

But what caused this perfect spirit creature to rebel against God, and then induce the first human pair to join in the rebellion? As with man, it was due to entertaining, continually, improper desires. At James 1 :14, 15 the Bible explains: "Each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire. Then the desire, when it has become fertile, gives birth to sin; in turn, sin, when it has

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AWAKE!

been accomplished, brings forth death."

The improper desires of this perfect spirit were, in time, translated into improper actions. He came to be known as the Devil and Satan.-John 8:44.

Yet, why has God permitted Satan and wickedness to continue for so long? For several reasons. By his rebellion Satan the Devil challenged God's rulership and a t the same time raised an issue as to whether any humans would remain true to their Creator-Ruler under test. Also, who spoke the truth there in Eden as to the result of disobedience? Was it God or Satan? Furthermore, could rebellious creatures attain to lasting blessings and happiness wliile ignoring God's rulership?

Time would be required to settle these issues, and God allowed such time. So no intelligent creatures could ever rightly accuse God of not giving the rebels opportunity to work out their own purposes.

And what has the record of nearly 6,000 years proved? I t has proved God to be right when he said: "There exists a way that is upright before a man, but the ways of death are the end of it afterward."

-Prov. I 6 :25.

But how much longer will God tolerate wickedness? Jesus' disciples also wanted to know, and so they asked him about it.

In answer Jesus gave many visible evidences that would mark the "time of the end" of this wicked system. These included worldwide war, famines, pestilences, widespread earthquakes and an increase of lawlessness. Are not these the things that are reported on almost daily in the news? Yes, indeed; and historians report that they are the characteristics of the generation that began with the first world war in 1914. But why such an increase of woe in our time? The Bible explains: "Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he OCTOBER

8, 1966

knoweth that he hath but a short time."

-Matt. 24:7, 12, 34; Rev. 12:%2,AV. This means that very soon now all the wicked will be destroyed by God! (Ps. 145: 20) After that, God's heavenly government will shower down upon its earthly subjects blessings beyond compare. Perfect health, boundless vigor and freedom from the onslaughts of old age and death will be realized. (Isa. 35:5, 6) Even dead ones will be resurrected to enjoy these blessings. (Acts 24: 15) Perfect peace and happiness will be enjoyed by all who live in that restored paradise.-Ps. 37:11, 29.

What should you do in view of the wonderful things God will do in your behalf? Why, show appreciation! How? First, by learning about God and his requirements. This means regularly studying his Word. (John 17:3) Then separate yourself from this wicked system that is doomed to destruction. Find out whether the religion you practice is really in harmony with God's Word, for, to please God, you must abandon any false religion that is part of this wicked world. Do God's mill, and in this way add your testimony to the fact that Satan is a liar and is incapable of turning all men from serving Je3ovah.Drov. 29: 11.

Can

you answer these quesei~rns?For answers, read the article above. ( 1 ) What questions do people raise concerning the permission of wickedness? ( 2 ) Was the first man a robot or did God give him freedom of choice? ( 3 ) In what sense was he perfect? ( 4 ) How is man's need for God's guidance expressed in the Bible? (51 Why is God not to blame for the sit1 of our first parents, and for our present imperfections? ( 6 )Who is even more to blame for wickedness than man? ( 7 ) How was it possible for a perfect spirit creature to become the Devil? ( 8 ) Why has God permitted wickedness to continue for so long? ( 9 ) Is ihe end of wickedness near? ( 10 1 What blessings will God's kingdom bring to mankind? ( 11 1 How can w e show our appreciation for what God has done for us?

( h i k e 21:ll) In Turkey official statistics put the quake to11 for the twentieth century so f a r at more than 40,000 dead.

The world's most catastrophic earthquake of modern times was in China in i920, when 180;000 people died. Three years later a quake razed Tokyo, killing 143,000.

Food Shortage @ At the 1966 annual meeting

Era of La\vlessness 9 David Lawrence, in U.S. News & World Report for August 29, said editorially: "Historians some day will write that the United States in the 1950s experienced an era of anarchy unparalleled in a free country governed originally by a written Constitution and once dedicated to the principle of law and order. We are today on the verge of a complete breakdown of our governmental structure." Federal and state governments, he said, face severe financial crises. He went on to say that city governments appear to be unable to protect human life; they are plagued by street demonstrations and criminal violence. "Even clergymen, who are supposed to preach doctrines of human love and conciliation, have joined the mob," he pointed out. What does it mean? Jesus Christ long ago foretold that this "increasing of lawlessness" would mark the last days of this wicked system of things.

-Matt. %4:12.

Buidde Rise @ Saigonese know that these are critical times hard to deal with, as the Christian apostle Paul long ago foretold for our day, at 2 Timothy 3:1. In Saigon, South Vietnam, the rate sf suicide and attempted sui-

cide is almost 50 percent higher this year than last, it was reported on August 27. "Many of these are young people whose psychology has been deformed, somehow, by the war," said Lieut. Col. Nguyen Van Luan. $930,000,000,000 for A m s @ A published United Press

International report stated that "the cost of the global arms race has reached staggering dimensions-more than $130 billion a year. This is more than the $125 billion being spent annually in the world on public health and education." The arms' race amounts to $40 for every man, woman and child in the world.

Readiness for war seems to have become the principal concern of humankind. Two world wars, the first of their kind in human history, have already marked this generation.

Jesus foretold this for the "conclusion of the system of things."-Matt. %4:3, 7.

Earthquake Jolts Turkey @ Eastern Turkey was struck

by a devastating earthquake on August 20. The unofficial death toll passed the 2,000 mark the next day. There were estimates that the final toll might top 5,000. Hundreds of villages were reduced to rubble. "Great earthauakes" mere a sign foretold for our day.

of the American Institute of Biological Sciences, a group of scientists agreed, on August 15, that man was multiplying faster than the food s u ~ ~ l v and that a catastrophe w a s sight. Dr. Harrison Brown of California Institute of Technology stated that tine world population would be at least 4,300,000,000 by 1923, if no major disaster strikes before that time; but food production is not keeghg pace. The Bible writer Luke long ago recorded under divine inspiration that unprecedentecl "food shortages" rs-ould be part of the composite sign that, not only is the present selfish system on its way out, but also "the khgdom of God is near."-Luke 21: 11, 31.

Dishonest Employees @ Former president

of the Cmzdian Institute of Chartered Accountants, Derek Lusaid that there has been an enormous increase in the last few years in thievery among trusted employees. He pointed out that apparently honest and trustworthy employees have embezzled or defrauded $150,000.000 from Canadian businesses. "Lovers of is money," "disloyal"-that what the Bible, at 2 Timothy 3:1, 2, said would characterize ungodly men in the "last days!'

"Devil in Usy' @ In a special report to the New York Times,August 24, a c o r r e s p o n d e n t in southeast Asia stated that "from the terraced rice fields of Central AWAKE!

Java to the exquisite island and persons who choose to of Bali, from the rubber plan- manifest his spirit. tations of Sumatra to the fishing villages of remote Timor, 'There Will Be Pestilences' the Indonesian people a r e @ The dreaded sleeping sicktroubled by the heritage of ness called encephalitis has violence bequeathed by the taken 384 lives so far this year staggering mass slaughter of in Japan and 399 in South Communists," which followed Korea. the abortive Cornmunist-supIn South Vietnam a plague, ported bid for greater power known as the Black Death in Jakarta last September 30. i n t h e M i d d l e Ages, i s It has been estimated that s p r e a d i n g t h r o u g h o u t the 400,000 were killed. "There is country. The spread of the a devil in us and when it gets disease has been described a s loose, we can run amok en "very, very serious."

Heart disease and cancer remasse," one of Indonesia's most d i s t i n g u i s h e d writers main foremost among the killsaid. Yes, the Bible agrees ers in spite of medical rethat there is "a devil" in back search, and venereal disease of the world's violence. "Woe has reached epidemic proporfor the earth and for the sea, tions in many la.rge cities. Yes, because the Devil has come pestilences, too, were foretold down to you, having great as part of the "sign!'-Luke anger, knowing he has a short 21: 11. period of time." (Rev. 12:12) And why? Because God's king- Preaching Though Pe~secilted dom has been established in 9 In nearly t w o h u - n d r e d the heavens and will soon put lands around the earth Jehoout of action both the Devil vah's witnesses are preaching

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Life Everlasting-in Freedom NE

a

the good news that God's kingdom has been established. F o r this they are persecuted, as Jesus foretold. (Matt. 24:9) Recently Greece's Orthodox primate, Archbishop Chrysostornos, said: "The Greek Orthodox Church rega.rds the members of CSehovah's witnesses] as enemy No. 1."He went on to say: "We have repeatedly appealed to the authorities to intervene and prosecute or arrest those of them who engage in proselytism." But they continue to preach. In Greece today there are 10,668 of Jehovah's witnesses active in preaching about God's kingdom. World wide there are over a million, and they have been devoting over 14,000,000 hours each month to their preaching work. As Jesus foretold for these "last days," this good news of the Kingdom established in the heavens is being preached in all the world for a witness.-Matt.

21:14.

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The Bible itself says: "All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work."

(2 Tim. 3:16, 17) But the Bible also records the account of a man who was reading the Bible himself and who was asked if he understood what he was reading. He answered: "Really, how could I ever do so, unless someone guided me?" Then he entreated this one who approached him to "sit down with him." B a d the account a t Acts 8:26-39. So, Bible knowledge is most valuable, but you need help to acquire it. How, then, can you study a t home?

own home. Accepting this service does not make you a member of any organization, nor does i t in any way obligate you to become such. What course you take when you learn what the Bible says is for you to decide.

We will be glad to use your own Bible, or, if you do not have one, and prefer, we will be glad to supply an easy-to-read modern translation. The one conducting the study does not do all the talking; rather, he guides you to information that will answer your questions and encourages you to express yourself on it. This service involves one hour each week a t a time that is mutually convenient, We urge you to study as a family, but our service is provided for individuals as well. And, remember, it is absolutely

free and without obligation.

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CONTENTS Do You Want a New Order Free from Lawlessness?

1

Protect Yourself from Lawlessness

20

God's Word Reforms Lawbreakers

26

"Your Word Is Truth" Why Do the Wicked Prosper?

27

Watching the World

29

3

Flood of Lawlessness Engulfing the Earth

4

How Do They Explain It?

9

The Real Causes of Today's Lawlessness 14

1

\I "It is already the hour for you to awoke."

-Romans

Volume X L l X

13:11

Brooklyn, N.Y.. January 8, 1968

HAT would it mean to you if the world were free from lawlessness ?

It would m e a n that you could step out of your home and never worry a b o u t locking a door. You could visit any neighborhood without being afraid. You could sit in any park late a t night. You could talk to any stranger without fear. You would never have to be concerned about the safety of Your home or Your loved ones.

No doubt You, as most Persons, want the world to be free from lawlessness. Certainly it would be a wonderful thing to live in a new order where nothing would ever mar Your happiness or jeopardize your freedom, possessions, life or loved ones. there ever be such a 'ystem of things? the energies and wealth now lost due to lawlessness ever be channeled into constructive work? Will it ever be possible for everybody to enjoy life under such secure conditions?

Judging from today's news it would be simple to conclude that an order free from lawlessness can never be a reality.

However, do not dismiss the possibility of living in a new order that is free from

Number 1

W

JANUARY 8, 1968

lawlessness. Why not? Because such an order will come without fail, and soon!

Within this generation the world will be rid of all lawbreakers! Yes, you will then be able to forget about locking your door.

You will then feel free to visit anywhere and talk to anyone. You will never again have to worry about the security of your home or loved ones. And the world will be free from things that drive many to lawlessness, such as poverty, prejudice and injustice.

Because a new order that will be free from lawlessness is nearing a reality, we invite you carefully to consider the that begin on the following page. First, these articles will examine the trend in lawlessness today, Then they will analyze the m i S O n S authorities give as to why S U C ~lawlessness exists in Our time. Next they will discuss the more important cames for this lawlessness and when and how that lawlessness will positively end. This issue will also give information on how you 3

can protect yourself from lawlessness mow.

First of all, then, let us examine the extent of lawlessness in our time, in this generation, in this year. Just what is go-

[ [\11 [I f

f\ !i"\ \ l,\\\ l l\\

iag on in this regard throughout the world? How widespread is lawlessness today? What damage to life and property is involved? What are the facts?

stated that the whole world was going through a "major international breakdown in respect for law and order." He noted: "Public antagonism t o w a r d t h e police i s reaching epidemic proportions all over the world, not only in those countries which we are wont to refer to as underdeveloped countriesq but in countries which have been and a r e regarded as some of tlre most highly civilized in the world."

Similarly, prominent British attorney Lord Shawcsoss made this observation: "Almost everywhere, including Soviet Russia, there appears to be an increase in crime, and particularly, alas, in juvenile crime. . ..

"Why is it t!at there is this increase crime, when we were all entitled, perhaps, to think that the unexampled prosperity which we enjoy now, the better education, the rather better housing conditions, and so on, vrould conduce to the opposite result? I wish I knew the Wwer!'

UTHORITIES agree on this central fact: There is a raging flood of lawOne part of the increase of lawlessness less activity all over the world. And it is that particularly bothers authorities is the Englad, fast increasing. In many areas it is out of increase of violent crimes.

J. &dl, writing in Cri??W ~ ' P Z Oair Timc, control. Your personal ssafety is being said: "The most striking feature of crime jeopardized as never before! today is the increase in violence." The au+This epidemic of crime Is net confined thor are criminals in this to one type of society. Not only the under- country [figlad] today who appear to developed countries suffer from it. Even have reached extremes of depravity and in the most prosperous lands there is an savagery not seen before the last war, a t enormous increase of lawlessness. least in such numbers."

The same conclusion was reached in an WorldwMe B~.ecrkdown exhaustive study of crime by a special The recently retired head of the Royal Crime Commission in the United States.

Canadian Mounted Police, G. B. McClelIan, Undertaken a t the President's direction

A

4

AWAKE!

and publishing its findings in the report The Challenge of Crime in a' Free Society, the Commission said: "The overaJI rate for violent crimes . . . now stands a t its highest point."

total rapes. In Japan, they're in the majority - 4 2 percent.. . .

'What interested me particularly was that in many countries abroad, even those with low rates, there was a new and alarming pattern of misbehavior.. ..

"The fact is, of course, that juvenile misbehavior is a world-wide phenomenon. . .

Even in Russia.. .I found considerable evidence of juvenile delinquency."

Greater Worry However, there is another trend that experts agree is cause for even greater worry: The fantastic rise in lawlessness Outracing the Population "Explosion" among young people. Of this the book Crime is rising far more rapidly than T h e Psychobgy of Crime said: the population in most lands. This flood "It is alarming that today adolescents are of crime prompted a Federal judge in the committing the same types of criminal activUnited States to say: ities as adults, whereas in former times the type of crime changed as the person grew older. For example, young people used to be involved in more youthful types of crime, such a s pranks or petty stealing, but today they are committing the same vicious crimes as adult criminals-murder, robbery, rape, burglary, vandalism, and automobile thefts, not to mention such minor crimes as purse snatching, petty thievery, destruction of property, and disorderly conduct..

'Tilot only have the types of crimes changed, but there has been a tremendous and disturbing increase in the number of crimes carried out by young people today. . The increase of juvenile delinquency is not restricted to the United States. I t has occurred in many countries throughout the world."

..

..

Corroborating this, American writer R. Tunley, in Kids,Crime a ~ Chaos, d noted the astonishing juvenile crime in various countries, such as Sweden, and then reported: "Turning from Sweden to Japan, the traveler finds conditions almost as astonishing.

In this Oriental country, before Wodd War I1 children were said to be among the most obedient and law-abiding of any nation on earth. Obviously, things have changed.. .

"The ratio of crimes committed by Japanese youngsters when compared with adults is out of all proportion to ours, showing juveniles acting far more lawlessly, compared with their elders, than ours do.. .Take one category-violent sex. I n our own country, juveniles account for 19 percent of the

.

.

"Society's problem with those who will not obey law has never loomed so large in our national life as i t does today.

"People murder others in this country a t the rate of more than one for every hour of the day.

"There are more than 140 crimes of theft every hour; assault and violence and rape grow comparably.

"The murder rate is 10,000 humans lives a

CRIME INCREASE crime in the U.S.A. increased of population growth.

The rioting was described as "anarchy," "rebellion," and even as "guerrilla warfare." Police and national guardsmen were hard pressed to maintain order. Indeed, in Detroit, thousands of regular army troops had to be dispatched by the Just how much greater than population American government to quell the rioting. growth is this surge of crimes? In the In that city alone a t least 41 persons were United States during 1966 there were killed, 2,000 injured, 5,000 made homeless. rape, Propem damage was estimated a t 500 3,243,370 major crimes-murder, robbery, assault, larceny, auto theft and million dollars! Life magazine stated: burglary. This was an increase of more 'When the burning, looting and killing than 11 percent over the previous year. were over, parts of Detroit had the bombedThe population increased less that 14 perout, jagged look of European cities in World cent during that same time. Grouping the War II....A n estimated 387 buildings were destroyed, 2,700 businesses and stores looted!' years from 1960 to 1966 together, we find that the United States population inOne resident exclaimed: "Hell isn't creased 9 percent, but serious crimes, 62 when you die. Hell is right here when percent! That means lawlessness increased you're living." seven times as fast as population!

Commenting on the riot, the Los AnSince population growth is referred to geles Times of July 30, 1967, reported: as an "explosion," a crime rate seven "What happened in Detroit last week was times as explosive is a catastrophe. And not a race riot. After the first two days it was not a riot a t all. I t became the highest during the first six months of 1967 major development so far of the new anarchy which crimes skyrocketed 17 percent above the takes over our collapsing urban civilization same period the previous year. This is a t from time to time!' a rate of about ten to fifteen times the Rioting is not confined to the United population growth!

States. Riots have occurred in many other Nor is the increase of lawlessness conparts of the globe recently. This past sumfined to just the "ghetto" areas of large mer in Japan thousands of rioters repeatcities. True, a greater proportion of crime edly clashed with police. The New York does occur in these areas, but in the past Times of August 19, 1967, reported: few years the rate of increase in the sub"Japan has a problem of mass violence urbs has been greater. year, which is higher than the death rate in our current military operations in Vietnam which inspire such emotional and violent public demonstrations.

14Andthe growth rate of crime is now f a r greater than the growth in our population."

among the underprivileged minorities in the big-city slums. . .The fray last night followed the pattern of similar outbreaks on many sultry nights in the past summers. The roving mobs hurled rocks at a police substation, stoned shops and private homes, broke windows in buildings and cars,. and beat any policeman who could be seized."

.

Rioting Spreads Lawlessness must also include the hurt to life and property resulting from rioting, for whatever reason. Such violence .. has brought great distress to large nurnbers of people and has increased greatly The situation all over the world is not in the last few years. much different. As Time magazine of July During the summer of 1967 riots took 28, 1967, stated: place in more than 120 cities of the United "Violence is so universal and elusive that States. At least 117 persons were killed. sociology and psychology can only approxiThousands were injured. Property damage mate a complex truth. Comparisons with was over $1,000,000,000. other countries are illuminating but hardly AWAKE?

conclusive. The U.S. has certainly experienced nothing like the massacre of 400,000 Communists in Indonesia; nor have Watts or Newark approached the lethal fury of an Indian or a n Arab mob."

People Are Afraid More and more people a r e realizing just how much lawlessness there is.

One consistent reaction has been fear. Of the situation in the United States, one official said: "American cities are burning.

You have more and more crime. Citizens are terrified." Of this fear Time said: "Fear of the darkened city streets has become a fact of urban life. The memories of bizarre multiple murders linger in the mind-13 people dead in Austin [Texas] from a sniper's rifle, eight nurses in Chicago killed by a demented drifter. The recollection of the Kennedy assassination remains part of the scene."

Almost daily the news tells of similar JANUARY 8, 1968

horrible acts. A farmer in Minnesota kills his wife, s e t s f i r e t o h i s home, killing their four children. He wounds himself to make it appear a s though it was committed by outsiders, family of nine-mother, father, seven children-are slaughtered by a murderer. The only survivor, a four-year-old daughter, hid under the blankets. Such crimes, repeated over and over, drive fear deep into the heart of people.

In the report of the President's Crime Commission, it was found that 43 percent of those interviewed said they now stayed off the streets a t night because of their fear of crime. And 35 percent said they no longer spoke to any strangers because of this same fear. The report added: 7

fessional criminals, those who make a career of lawlessness. The "take" of organized crime runs into thousands of millions of dollars each year. Involved in this are thousands of criminals who work in organizations as complex a s large corporations.

They supply such illegal goods and services as gambling, narcotics, prostitution and other forms of vice. Estimates of the money made from illegal gambling alone run up to $50,000,000,000 a year in just the United States!

To cope with all this crime, "professional" and "nonprofessional," what is required? In the United States there are some 420,000 law-enforcement people What is additionidly frightening is that working in about 40,000 separate agencies. there are far more crimes committed than They spend more than $2,500,000,000 of are ever reported. For example, burglaries the public's tax money trying to stern the occur about three times as often as they tide. Yet, the tide of lawlessness advances are reported, rapes even more often. In relentlessly. some areas. only one-tenth of certain crimes are ever reported to police!

Toward More Lawlessness The hard facts are that never before in Who Are the Lawless? history has there been such a tremendous Who are these lawless elements that surge in lawlessness world wide. And cause such fear? Are they all sinister, every indication is that this increase will mentally deranged types? Are they all continue. professional criminals? The Crime ComThree years ago, when the situation was mission's report stzted: not as bad as it is today, an editorial in "Many Americans take comfort in the view the New York Times of February 18, that crime is the vice of a handful of people.

1965, stated: This view is inaccurate. In the United States "Pear of strangers has greatly impoverished the lives of many Americans, especially those who live in high-crime neighborhoods in large cities. People stay behind the locked doors of their homes rather than risk walking in the streets at night. Poor people spend money on taxis because they are afraid to walk or use public transportation. Sociable people are afraid to talk to those they do not know. . . .

"When fear of crime becomes fear of the stranger the social order is further damaged.

As the level of sociability and mutual trust is reduced, streets and public places can indeed become more dangerous. . ..The reported incidents of bystanders indifferent to cries for help are the logical consequence of a reduced sociability, mutual distrust and withdrawal."

today, one boy in six is referred to the juvenile court. A Commission survey shows that in I965 two million Americans were received h prisons or juvenile training schools, or placed on probation. Another Commission study suggests that about 40 percent of all male children now living in the United States will be arrested for a nontraac offense during their lives!'

Hence, more and more "ordinary" citizens are committing lawless acts. Throughout the world millions of persons regarded as decent "next-door-neighbor" types are being apprehended for vicious crimes.

Of course, to these must be added pro-

"It is a frightening but inescapable thought that the world has drifted apart and become more fragmented since April 1963, when Pope John made his notable appeal for 'st community of peoples based on t r ~ t h , justice, love and freedom.'. . .

"Throughout history different elements operated a t different times to provide an anchor, an amalgam, a source of unity for societies. There were family bonds, great monarchs, great empires, the world's great religions and, in modern times, political ideologies. Today none of these factors seems strong enough to hold societies in check or to unite nations and peoples in peace.

"This is a n era that has lost its bearings.

AWAKE!

that wanders in a wilderness crying with rage and striking out in its pain."

Why has all this happened? Why is the

w

HAT puzzles authorities is this: Why such increased lawlessness now, in our time?

The lawlessness of human society can be likened to a sickness. For every sickness there is a cause. There are several basic, root causes for today's increasing lawlessness. Ignoring these root causes would be like your refusing to eat and then wondering why you are undernourished and hungry! Yet, these underlying causes usually are ignored by most well-meaning criminologists today!

Instead of dealing with the primary causes, most of those who deal with la--lessness observe only the surface issues.

We may compare this to viewing that small portion of an iceberg visible above the waterline. The more important and larger part is not as apparent, being below the waterline. So too with lawlessness.

The more important causes lie beneath the surface.

However, since the apparent, above the surface, reasons are what authorities usually give, it would be well to note what these are first. Then we can examine the far more important causes that are not so apparent.

JANUARY 8, 1968

world being flooded by this rising tide of lawlessness a t this particular time in history?

Rapid Deterioration Begins There has always been crime in man's history. However, authorities agree that there came a time when a definite turn for the worse was made. It was a time that contributed greatly to the rampage of lawlessness now in progress. British historian H. R. Trevor-Roper tells of that key event: "It is instructive to compare the first World War with the second . ..the first war marked a f a r greater change in history. It closed a long era of general peace and began a new age of violence in which the second war is simply an episode. Since 1914 the world has had a new character: a character of international anarchy."

Never before had the entire world plunged into total war. Millions of the flower of mankind were taught how to hate and kill on an unprecedented scale.

They were pulled away from their families and brutalized in the trenches, on battlefields. Their morality suffered a staggering blow. Many of these men came home from war cynical. They viewed their leaders, politicians and clergymen as untrustworthy, selfish, even dishonest and hypocritical. Hence, their thinking was never again quite the same. When they married and had children, their children reflected the partial breakdown of morality that they had suffered.

9

generally not be in the same condition as had been their own fathers to give children training in morality.

Commenting on this, a n eminent criminologist, Professor S. Glueck of H a r v a r d Law School, stated:

These children then grew up to be the soldiers of World War II and were also brutalized in vicious warfare. In turn, some of their children fought later wars.

Can anyone really expect that nations, particularly the youngest, most energetic and impressionable of its citizens, can be subjected to one, two, three and four such shocking experiences as mankind has lived through since 1914 and not suffer the consequences? You reap what you sow. The hatred, killing, plunder and chaos sown by nations since 1914 have produced a harvest of progressively demoralized people.

The human family is reeling from these staggering blows to its mentality and morality, for few things are as immoral, as lawless, as debasing to human morality as the mass murder and anarchy perpetrated in the name of war.

Breakdown in Home This individual breakdown greatly affected the home. Fathers who had participated in this global anarchy would

10

"Parental atti. tudes toward disciplining their young have changed quite rapidly. I n t h e home and o u t s i d e , the trend has been steadily toward more permissiveness-that is, placing fewer restraints and limits on behavior.

'Tt's not a new trend, really. Today's parents themselves are the products of somewhat permissive parents of the time before the second World War."

Does anyone really imagine that such horrible deeds committed in war could lead the world to improved morality in the home, to parents' encouraging children to be more lawful? On the contrary, as the nations spewed out hate, prejudice, injustice and violence internationally, more and more individuals imitated these lawless characteristics locally.

The effect this has had on young minds has been enormous. The Crime Cornmission noted: "One way of looking at delinquency is in the context of the 'teenage culture' that has developed in America since the end of On the whole it is the second World War. a rebellious, oppositional society, dedicated to the proposition that the grownup world is a sham..

"It may be a short step from distrusting authority to taking the law into one's own

...

..

AWAKE!

hands, from self -absorption to contempt for the rights of others, . from feelings of rebellion to acts of destruction."

..

When the older generation, especially the rulers of the world, takes young ones to task for their lawlessness, they must ask themselves: From whom have the young learned such lawlessness? If the young are disillusioned with the world, can those who have made it so corrupt and violent excuse themselves from blame?

The lack of security among nations is reflected by a similar lack in the family

JANUARY 8, 1968

family tension, manifested mainly through hostility, hatred, resentment, nagging, bickering, or psychosomatic disorders, engendered and maintained emotional disturbances in both children and parents alike!'

Also significant was the finding that there are twice as many delinquents from broken homes as from the general population. On the other hand, where the father was strong, took a good lead, was affectionate and loving with his children, the delinquency rate was lower. Of this the Crime Commission reported:

11

toward suburban living, helped to separate the father from his family. In farm life there were better chances to develop roots, to make the family a closely knit unit. But So authorities maintain that the way to in the cities, the father is usually gone all prevent lawlessness in future adults is by day. Often both parents work, sometimes good parental care and training of chil- one a t a night job. And in suburbs fathers dren. But this ability has been severely leave early in the morning and return late undermined by the damage done to the at night. The book The Psychobgy of mentality and morality of parents, partic- Crime notes: ularly the male, by the climate of anarchy "A parent's frequent absence from home in the world since 1914. often leads to the most subtle forms of "Perhaps the most important factor in the lives of many boys who become delinquent is their failure to win the affection of their fathers."

family tension. In many fanlilies today the

The Indusltrial Age father plays o d y a perfunctory role, mostly that of a provider, without taking an em@Rapid industrialization has also colational part in his family's life. .. .frequently tributed to lawlessness. When large induslittle attention is paid to him. Consciously or tries came into being, people left rural unconsciously his wife and children feel his areas and came where the factories were, absence in that they miss a man upon whom they can depend for guidance, leadership, and into the cities. understanding."

By their packing into cities, the more relaxed and emotionally healthy way of life in the country was lost. In time, great Material Pmperiltg Another reason authorities advance for sections of cities deteriorated and became the spread of lawlessness is material proshorribly congested slurns. Such close proxperity.

Since World War II quite a few imity of people had a detrimental effect. nations have had boom times, producing As the Crime Commission's report stated: more goods than ever before. In Kids, "Delinquents a r e concentrated disproporCrime and Chaos, the author states: tionately iia the cities, and particularly in the larger cities. ...

"When so many people are living and moving in so small a space, the probability of collisions can only increase. Crowding has a harmful effect on study habits, attitudes toward sex, parents' ability to meet needs of individual children; clearly, crowding intensifies the fatigue and irritability that contribute to erratic or irrational discipline."

Interestingly, the rate of crime per hum dred thousand population in the cities was found to be over 1,800. The rate for the suburbs was about 1,200. The rural rate, however, was only a little over 600! So for each 100,000 population, the crime rate in the city was three times that of the rural areas! Clearly, the farther man has gotten away from an agricultural society, the worse his situation has become.

City life, and then the later trend

"Progress, I found, was recognized a s a major factor in delinquency in almost every country I vkikd. . ..

"In W g t Germany, which has lived through an extraorrhary phase of prosperity in recent years, people have come to realize, sadly, that a boom carries a built-in train of delinquents. ...

'The United Nations, following a London conference on the a b j e c t in 1960, summed up their Wdings in a report which said, somewhat grudgingly: 'The existing data suggest that the improvement of living condition-what is called a better standard of living--dms not necessarily. ..reduce juvenile delinquency.' "

The flood of material goods is advertised everywhere. Most persons become desirous of these goods. Those who do not have the money to buy them often resort to theft to get what they want, as eviAWARE!

school children have sexual relations with denced by the fantastic rise in burglaries, one another and the number of illegitimate larceny and auto theft. births among very young girls has increased, In other instances husbands must work has the of venereal disease in adolescents?" long hours, perhaps holding two jobs, just Permissiveness haยง saturated the enterto support this higher standard of living. tainment a d publishing fields. Many of ~ ~ ~is subordinated ~ ~ t to acquiring h i ~ ~ the movies, television program, books and material goods. Often the mother works magazines now released would never have too. The effect on cl~ildren,as noted prebeen tolerated by either the censors or will viousl~,is disastrous because not general public years ago. Today, however, lhey not get the needed, but by semdimlorality, perversion, and their pal-erats' example they are taught to mayhem are steady diets for the viewer be greedy for things' Greed and and reader. As Time of July 28, high principles are not companions.

1967, said:

,

"In the movies and on television, murder

Perrizissive Environment and torture seem to be turning Americans m e permissive environlnent of todap, [and other nationalities] into parlor sadists.

A recent trend on the stage is the 'theater whether in education, in television, in movof cruelty,' and a growing number of books ies or in literature, has also contributed delve into the pornography of violence." heavily to the increase of lawlessness, exConcerning this trend, reviewer Bosley perts agree.

Crowther wrote in the New York Times There has been widespread acceptance of July 9, 1967: of philosopher Sigmund Freud's idea that 6,Someth*lg is happening in the movies much in the individual that is suppressed that has me alarmed and disturbed. Movieshould be released. Many have gone bemakers and movie-goers are agreeing that yond this and have taught that there 1-rilling is fun. Not just old-fashioned, oatshould be no suppression of human desilmes right killing, either, the kind that is quickly and cleanly done by honorable law-enforcers a t all. The concept of freedom with responThis is ,-,,acceptable competitors in s i b i l i t ~has been largely replaced by the killing of a gross and bloody nature, often unhealthy concept of freedom without ma,ssive and excessive, done by characters limit.

Such a permissive environment h a s played havoc with right principles and morality. Of the effect this permissiveness has had on chil&en, Crime in Our T i m says: "In an e n v i r o n ment where moral standards in all directions have been lowered, and religious standards are almost nonexistent, can we wonder that JANUARY 8, 1968

33

whose murderous motivations are morbid, degenerate and cold. This is killing of the sort that social misfits and sexual perverts are most likely to do. And the eerie thing is that movie-goers are gleefully lapping it up.

"The passion for this sort of thing is not exclusive to audiences in the United States. [these films1 seem to me as socially decadent and dangerous as LSD!'

...

...

some of these reasons, the President's Crime Commission said:

.

"Crime flourishes .. in city slums, those neighborhoods where overcrowding, economic deprivation, social disruption and racial discrimination are endemic. Crime flourishes in conditions of ai3uence, when there is much desire for material goods and many opportunities to acquire them illegally. Crime flourishes when there are many restless, relatively footloose young people in the population Crime flourishes when standards of morality are changing rapidly.

"Finally, to the extent that the agencies of law enforcement and justice, and such community b&itutions as schools, churches and social service agencies, do not do their jobs eEectively, they fail to prevent crime."

A person's physical health is determined to a great degree by what he eats. A pesson's mental health is determined to a great degree by what he exposes his mind to. By being exposed to such mental rubbish the minds of millions are being distorted away from what is wholesome. And together with all the other reasons given, All these are apparent reasons for lawthis debasing mental food gives an addilessness. But they are only the top part of tional push to lawlessness.

These and a few other reasons are most the "iceberg"! There are more fundarnenoften given by authorities to account for tal causes for the flood of lawlessness now increased lawlessness today. Summing up taking place! What are they?

LL the foregoing explanations for lawlessness given by authorities are useful and important. However, they do not really explain why all these things happen in the first place.

Why have concepts of morality loosened? Why does man seem bent on lawlessness? Why is this generation plagued by more lawlessness than ever before?

Why did World War I mark a turning point? Why are the proposed remedies failing?

A

14

Let us go below the surface, to the main part of the "iceberg," the part that is not so apparent to authorities.

Fundamental Laws The root causes of lawlessness are so important that to ignore them is to put our life and future in peril. These root causes may be compared to fundamental laws that govern the earth and man.

For example, if you throw a rock from a cliff, which way will the rock travel?

AWAKE!

History has verified this. Mankind has tried every idea in human relations that one can imagine. All types of philosophies, political creeds and religions have been adopted. Today he is employing what he believes to be the best. Yet, the human family has never before been in such a mess! The reason why is that man has abandoned the only true guide, God and his wisdom, and has substituted for it human wisdom.

Some do recognize this basic fact. For Human Behavior instance, one of the members of the PresiThere is also a law that governs human behavior. Whether authorities recognize it dent's Crime Commission stated in the or not, this law is in operation and is just report : "Thorough as the Commission's studies as binding as the law of gravity, as man's have been and comprehensive as its valuable need for food. recommendations are, its report seems defiWhat is this law governing human becient to me in that it neglects to recognize godlessness as a basic cause of crime!' havior? The Bible writer Jeremiah put it this way: "To earthling man his way does The basic cause of crime is that mannot belong. It does not belong to man who kind has abandoned God. The human famis walking even to direct his step." (Jer. ily has done so for a long, long time. Ex10:23) Later, Jesus Christ said: "Man must live, not on bread alone, but on cept for a small minority, people in every utterance coming forth through Je- general do not seriously consult the record God has inspired for their guidance, hovah's mouth."-Matt.

4: 4.

Tim. 3:16, 17; What is the meaning of such state- the Holy Scriptures.-2 1 Thess.

2: 13. ments? This: Man needs to feed his mind Even the religions of this world have on God's Word in order to succeed. Man was never created with the ability or right abandoned that guide. They frequently to govern his affairs successfully by him- downgrade the Bible in order to advocate self, apart from God! Very simply, God their own opinions. As a result they are did not make humans with that capacity. divided, conflicting and bewildered. They This fundamental precept meant that are no more able to offer people the real man must always look to a superior guide solutions for their problems than any othto direct his steps in the right way. Then e r worldly agency, because they have fallhe would be successful. From where would en into the same trap. They do not really this guidance come? Jeremiah added: listen to God's clearly expressed will. As "Correct me, 0 Jehovah.'" Jer. 10:24) He recognized that man must depend on God's Word states: "Look! They have rehis Creator for guidance. Any guide other jected the very word of Jehovah, and what than this would, in time, fail, and man's wisdom do they have?" (Jer. 8:9) So it affairs would positively slide downward in can be said that for all practical purposes disorder, just as the rock thrown from a the clergy today are just as godless as the cliff goes downward. rest of the world.

Down, of course. Why? Because the law of gravity acts upon it. Even if you throw it upward, it will go only a short way before it plunges downward. It always goes down, in harmony with the law of gravity.

If you stop eating, what will eventually happen to you? Of course, you will get weak and die. It is a law of life that man must take in food to stay alive. If he does not, then his body will, without fail, begin to break down and eventually collapse.

JANUARY 8, 1968

says is right, the res u l t w a s a s God f o r e s a w : "There exists a way that is There can be no harmony, no unity, no upright before a ma.n, but the ways 01 success in regulating human affairs with- death are the end of it afterward." ( h o v . out taking into consideration what God 16:25) JVt'hat has happened to man's efhas to say, and then doing what he says. forts is as Psalm 127:l said it would be: Surely the inventor of a machine knows "Unless Jehovah himself builds the house, best how it should operate. If one ignores it is to no avail that its builders have the specifications for operating it, the worked hard on it." mzchine breaks donn. The Creator of man, Jehomh God, knows for a certainty A Second Cause There is a second main cause for l a x how human socie@ should operate. But our first forefathers, Adam and Eve, and lessness. It has to do with something we .the overwhelming majority of mankind all inherit. When our first parents, Adam since then, have ignored God's regulations. and Eve, rebelled against God, they took That is why for nearly 6,000 years hu- th?mselves outside of God's perfect care. inan relations have been degenerating, go- On their own, independent from God, they ing downward, like a body without food, found that their minds and bodies began like a rock hurtling downhill. That is why to degenerate because God no longer susthis system of things is now floundering, tained them in perfection. Finally, death gasping, dying! overtook them. (Gen. 3:l-19) They could When people ignored the fact that they thus pass on to their children, born after were not designed to function independent- their rebellion, only what they themselves ly from God, and as a result did what they had, imperfection of mind and body, just thought was right instead of what God as God's Word states: "'Who can produce 16

AM'A K E !

someone clean out of someone unclean?

There is not one.'-Job 14:4.

Every person born from human parents is thus born with a terrible affliction, a handicap-inherited imperfection. We all inherit a tendency toward doing what is wrong. (Ps. 51:5) That is why the Bible, at Romans 5:12, says: "Through one man [Adam] sin [lawlessness] entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men."--Compare 1John 3:4.

Because of this inherited imperfection, "the inclination of the heart of man is bad from his youth up." (Gen. 8:21) And Proverbs 22 :15 adds : "Foolishness is tied up with the heart. of a boy." That is why cl~ildrendo not automatically do what is right, but tend toward being bad and need correction.

Hence, we must recognize that man is boril, not inclined toward doing good, but inclined toward doing bad. At birth a human is not like a young tree that automatically grows upright. He is more like a loose vine that will drop over unless it is tied to a strong, upright stake. Such a strong upright is God's Word. It supplies the right laws and principles that can guide us in an upright course. As the inspired psalmist said to God: "Pour word is a lamp to my foot, and a light to my roadway." (Ps. 119:105) When these high principles are applied early in life, there is a strong likelihood that a person will grow up to be law abiding. That is why Proverbs 22:6 says: "Train up a boy according to the way for him; even when he grows old he will not turn aside from it."

was instigatkd by a rebellious heavenly son of ~ o whoe d aho.seduced other spirit sons to join him. He- wanted rulership in place of God. Jesus Christ called this spirit rebel "the ruler of' this world." (John 12: 31) I n fact, this invisible 'spirit creature who became Satan the Devil offered Jesus rdership over -all the kingdoms of the earth if Jesus would join in rebelling against God. The Bible account tells us: "So he [Satan] brought him [Jesus] up and showed him all the kingdoms of the inhabited earth in an instant of time; and the Devil said to him: 'I will give you all this authority and the glory of them, because it has been delivered to me, and to whomever I wish I give it. You, therefore, if you do an act of worship before me, it will all be yours.' "-Luke 4:5-7.

Jesus refused this offer. Yet, he did not deny that the Devil is the invisible ruler of all the kingdoms of mankind! Jesus knew that God permitted this for a time just as he permitted human rebellion for a time. This time period, now almost 6,000 years, among other things, has demonstrated to all creation how disastrous has k e n the rule of spirit creatures and men alienated from God. The "ruler of this world" had a smashing defeat administered to him not long ago. How so? The Bible states: "Down the great dragon was hurled, the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth; he was hurled down to the earth, and his angels were hurled down with him. . . .

"Woe for the earth.. .because the Devil has come down to you, having great anger, knowing he has a short period of time."

-Rev. 12: 7-9, 12.

This accounts for the particular intensit y of lawlessness since 1914. Why? Because Bible prophecies and the events in A Third Cause fulfillment of them show that the end of There is still another basic cause, a the Gentile Times in 1914 led to a war in third one, for the vast increase of lawless- heaven that resulted in the ouster of Saness that has taken place since 1914. w and his demons from the heavens Man's rebellion in the garden of Eden down to earth. That ousting of Satan was JANUARY 8, 1368

an initial .step that God took to rid the entire universe of lawlessness. Satan and his demons, chief promoters of lawlessness, know that their doom is sealed. They know that in a very short time now they and all lawless elements on earth will be destroyed. That is why their wrath is being felt on an increased scale since their ouster from heaven. Since they will not be allowed to rule much longer, they want to ruin.

So, quite unknowingly, the remark of The Sun of Clearwater, Florida, on June 6, 1960, was appropriate when it stated: "For 30 years the opening of a new decade has been like opening a can of devils."

"The Increasing of Lawlessness" a Feature of ULast Bays" The end of the Gentile Times in 1914, followed by the casting of Satan and his demons to earth, began the "last days" for this system of things. God's time limit for allowing human and demon rule entered its final phase. The flood of lawlessness now in progress is a direct evidence that we live near the end of this lawless system of things.

Jesus himself foretold that one feature of these "last days" would be "the increas-

ing of lawlessness." (Matt. 24:12) He also foretold that this generation would see "great tribulation such as has not occurred since the world's beginning until now, no, nor will occur again."-Matt.

24:21.

Thus since 1914, Satan's being cast down to earth, plus the already long plunge downward by humankind alienated from God, began a terrifying period of lawlessness. The apostle Paul accurately described this time in these words: "In the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, selfassuming, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God,. ..wicked men and impostors will advance from bad to worse."-2 Tim. 3:l-4, 13.

Historians, statesmen, educators and others recognize that something catastrophic has been taking place since 1914.

Note the remarks of Mr. Justice Jackson in late 1946 when he gave his final testimony a t the trial of Nazi war criminals in Nuremberg, Germany. Mr. Jackson said, as recorded in Tyranny on Trial:

RWR RE!

"It is common to think of our own time a s standing a t the apex of civilization,. . the reality is that in the long perspective of history the present century will not hold an admirable position.. .These two-score years in the twentieth century will be recorded in the book of years as one of the most bloody in all annals. Two World Wars have left a legacy of dead which number more than all the armies engaged in any war that made ancient or medieval history.

No half-century ever witnessed slaughter on such a scale, such cruelties and inhumanities, such wholesale deportations of peoples into slavery, such annihilations of minorities. ...If we cannot eliminate the causes to prevent the repetition of these barbaric events, it is not an irresponsible prophecy to say that this twentieth century may yet succeed in bringing the doom of civilization."

.

The causes have not been eliminated! It is impossible for man himself to eliminate them! That is why the world continues its downward plunge just as surely as the rock thrown from the cliff, just as surely as the body denied food! It is simply beyond man to remedy the causes. Only God can, and will.

End Near What all of this means is that we are fast approaching the end of this lawless system of things. There remain very few years before Jehovah God exercises his right to take over all control of earth's affairs and eliminate 1awlessness.Ter. 25 :31-33.

Until God acts shortly, men and demons will continue to be more vicious, more degraded and more immoral as this system speeds to its end. (2 Tim. 3:13) It is just as a former United States Secretary of State noted in the June 13, 1960, issue of U.S. News & World Report. He declared that our time is "a period of unequaled instability, unequaled violence," and warned: "I know enough of what is going on to assure you that, in 15 years from today, JANUARY 8, 1968

this world is going to be too dangerous to live in."

Fifteen years from 1960 brings us to 1975. He predicted that by 1975 this world would be too dangerous! Interestingly, this date is also the one indicated by the most reliable Bible research as marking the end of 6,000 years of rebellion of men and demons against God. We can be confident that soon, now, Almighty God, Jehovah, for a certainty will bring this lawless system of things to an end. He will rid the world of lawlessness by smashing the hopeless rule of men and demons. God guarantees: "In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be brought to ruin. And the kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people.

I t will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite."-Dan. 2: 44.

Think of it! God himself will rule the earth by means of a heavenly kingdom!

No more will the governing of peoples be left up to humans! The superior wisdom of God will then guide all mankind.

Do you long to live in a system of things free from lawlessness? If you do, then you will look with keen anticipation to the end of this lawless system of things.

You will long to see the fulfillment of the psalm that promises: "Just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more . When the wicked ones are cut off, you will see it."-Ps. 37:10, 34.

While that will mean the end of all lawlessness, it will not mean the end of all people. Those who are now looking to God for guidance will survive into that lawful new system. They have confidence that God-fearing men will live on a restored paradise earth forever. As the loving Creator promises: "The world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever."-1 John 2 :17.

..

N THIS time when "the world is passing away" the rampage of crime will continue to grow in intensity. As Jesus foretold, the immediate future will bring an "increasing of lawlessness" until God brings this system of things to its end.-1 John 2 :17; Matt. 24 :12.

Between now and the end of this Jawless system, how can you protect yourself and your loved ones?

What can you do to avoid being victimized by lawless persons?

Surprisingly t o many, one of the main ways to avoid being victimized by an act of crime is to control yourself!

Self-Control Wnat does selfcontrol have to do with k i n g victimized by a crime? Note what the President's Crime Commission revealed :

relative, close that the victim hew-a friend or an acquaintance. Only 12 percent of the murders analyzed were cornmitted by total strangers. %any crimes are 'caused' by their victims.

It was also found that two-thirds of Often the victim of an assault is the person rape victims were attacked by men whom who started the fight, or the victim of an they knew. And onIy 19 percent of all men automobile theft is a person who left his and women who were victims of bodily keys in his car, or the victim of a loan shark assault were not acquainted with their asis a person who lost his rent money at the race track, or the victim of a co~lfidence sailants. Unwise acts, a lack of selfman is a person who thought he could get control, on the part of the victim prorich quick!' voked, or triggered, many of these attacks.

This is particularly true of crimes in- As the New York Times Magmine of June volving bodily h a m , such as murder and 18, 1967, commented: assault. In the report Crirnifutl Homicides "Although there is always some danger in Baltimore the following was noted: any city of being robbed, perhaps injured "Almost one-third of the homicides were precipitated by actions of the victims, with non-white victims four times as likely to precipitate their own deaths as whites. An important correlation appeared between alcohol and victim-precipated cases."

on the street, and a considerable danger of being burglarized, what people have to fear most from crime is in themselves: their own carelessness or bravado; their attitudes toward their families and friends, toward the people they work for or who work for them; their appetites for drugs and liquor and sex; their own eccentricities; their own perwrsities; their own passions."

Almost one out of every three murders is caused by the victim's provoking the killer! And frequently the provoker is under the influence of alcohol. This reveals The self-control that is needed is a prodthat a lack of self-control on the victim's uct of God's spirit, available to those who part is often responsibje for his difficulty. follow his guidance. (Gal. 5:22, 23) You And in most cases the killer was someone can develop self-control even if you do not

practice it at present. It is an essential link in avoiding trouble.

Some may consider it brave, or smart, to ignore such godly counsel. For example, there were two couples who were walking Putting It into Practice on a New York street. Several young men You can put self-control into practice in made uncomplimenta.ry remarks. The husmany ways. For example, you may be rid- bands reacted swiftly and pummeled the ing public transportation, a bus or a sub- young men. It seemed they had won a way that is crowded. Someone jostles you, victory. But minutes later the youths reperhaps making a nasty remark also. What turned with the rest of their gang. The should be your reaction? Should you get husbands were brutally beaten, and one rough, or insult the was killed. What a jostler back? F a r price t o pay for From avoiding troubravado! How much ble, t h a t would better it would have more likely provoke been to ignore the remarks and to it. It could plant the seed of violence in 'take their leave.' someone who is not Another Bible being restrained by principle t h a t can godly principles. save you from diffiWherever you culty is recorded at are, at work, during Proverbs 26:17. It recreation, while says: "As one grabtraveling, when b i n g h o l d of t h e s h o p p i n g , when ears of a dog is anydealing with neighone passing by that bors, friends or relis becoming furious atives, it does not at the quarrel that pay to give an ofis not his." When fender 'a dose of his r i o t s f l a r e in or near your neighborown medicine.'

G~d'as Word accuhood, do you want r a t e l y s t a t e s : "A !d someone jostles you, to see what is going word causing pain will you Iet yourself get drawn infa a fight? Qo* and voice Your makes-anger t o opinion? Do you come up." (Prov. 15:l) This is why so take to the streets and add your voice to m i n i victims have themselves to blame. the confusion? The Bible advises that the They provoked their assailant. On the 0th- best thing to do is not to 'grab hold of it.' er hand, that same proverb counsels: "Am Let it alone. Do not get near it even out of answer, when mild, turns away rage." curiosity. There are no winners in riots, However, if, in spite of your using a mild only losers. Retire indoors or to a safe place answer, the other person continues to be until the danger has run its course. belligerent, what should you do? God's Word wisely tells us: "Before the quarrel Not Inviting Trouble To avoid trouble it is also wise to avoid has burst forth, take your leave."-hv. visiting places that have reputations of 17:14.

JANUARY 8, 1968

el

being haunts for criminals, prostitutes or by leaving the keys in your car, or flashhomosexuals. A person may think there ing large amounts of money in public, or is no danger in just touring such places overdressing, such as with a showy disand 'seeing the sights.' But what business play of jewelry. There are persons who does a person wanting to avoid lawless- can be instigated to commit a crime and ness have there? The danger of being a who will commit a crime if the opportunivictim of lawlessness increases by going ty is presented. They will take your car where it abounds. if t h e k e y s a r e Nor should we invite difficulty by int h e r e , but might sisting that we have a right to sit not otherwise. in any section of a park at any They will follow you if you display hour. Certain places in parks, indeed, some entire parks, are danlarge amounts of gerous after dark. It is not the money, but might course of practical wisdom to insist not otherwise. If you overdress and on your right and thus take the wear much jewelrisk of being robbed or assaulted. ry in public, you If you are a woman or young girl, are you fearful of may attract thieves who would being molested o r atleave the more unpretacked? There are sevtentious person alone. eral things you can do to Even Christian minisminimize t h e danger. ters who call on people One, of c o u r s e , i s t o to teach them the truths avoid traveling unaccomof the Bible do not inpanied down dark streets vite trouble. They exero r sparsely traveled cise caution by not travareas that are considered eling alone in dangerous unsafe. Also, what about places, particuIarly a t the way you dress? Do night. They use wisdom you wear suggestive, reacquired f r o m God's vealing clothing? Do you r d , which s t a t e s : &hink it is fashionabIe to wear t h e l a t e s t mini"Two are better than Do you dress in a way that invites trouble? one . . . For if one of skirts? Remember, those dothing styles have been them should fall, the fashioned by people who do not have godly other one can raise his partner up. But principles in mind. If a woman or a young how will it be with just the one who falls girl wears very short dresses and tight, when there is not another to raise him revealing clothing, how can she object to up?,,-ml.

4:9, being treated like a loose woman, since precaution, particularly in high that is often the way prostitutes dress?

By dressing like loose women, one makes crime areas, can be the owning of a dog. herself a target for sexual molesting.

Although some burglars will kill the dog Similarly, do not invite criminal activity to commit their act of burglary, still even

moral suggestions, she will not do i t . S h e i s b,eing a s k e d t o b r e a k God's law, s o s h e will r e s o r t t o screaming or anything else to protect herself, even if the criminal does use violence. (Deut. 22:23-27) I n such situations, the person guided by God's laws can find protection by appealing to Jehovah God in prayer, calling on his name out loud, so that the assailant can hear it. The Bible shows there is protection for one who respects and uses the name of God: "The name of Jehovah is a strong tower. Into i t the righteous runs and is given protection."-Prov.

18: 10.

Will 'you struggle to keep your money, and perhaps lose your life?

Protect Your Children Mothers and fathers, know where your children are. It is not wise toa small dog will often make enough dis- day, even for convenience, to let your chilturbance to discourage most intruders. dren go alone in certain neighborhoods. It is best for someone to accompany them.

When Confronted by Lawless Persons Another point to consider is this: With However, some persons bent on crime whom do your children associate? In this will let nothing stop them. regard you would do well to note what the Hence, if you should be confronted.by book Kids, Crime and Chaos states: a person who thrusts a gun or knife at YOU "F.M. Thrasher, in his intensive study of and demands your money, what should a boys club in New York City, came up with fie distressing news that boys who were you do? Rather than endanger your life, members of the club had a larger number give the mone2/ to hirn! your life is of delinquencies than boys in the same neighworth far than any borhood who were not members. Even more session YOU have. The principle here is distressing was the fact that, while 18 percent of the boys studied were delinquent somewhat the same as when Jesus said: when they first joined the club, after they "Do not resist him that is wicked had participated for a while in the club's wants to go to court with you a activities, the delinquency figure rose to 28 and get possession of your inner garment, percmt. let your outer 'garment also go to him."

"Equally shattering was the revelation, not long ago, that among all the boys studied -Matt. 5:39, 40. in a Pennsylvania reformatory, 35 percent some have tried to be 'heroic%d have were members of the Boy Scouts. struggled with holdup men. But many "It is not surprising, therefore, that in a have lost their lives a s the lawle~sperson, recent pamphlet, the Children's Bureau infuriated, pulls the trigger of his gun, or stated: 'Research indicates that providing additional recreation facilities in an area lashes out with his knife. usually does not bring about significant Yet1 in the case of a Christian & om 'changes in the volume of juvenile delin. an, if a man demands she submit to im- quen&.'u

.

JANUARY 8, 1968

23

What this points up is the Biblical principle that it is not the job of outside agencies or clubs to train children correctly. It is the God-given responsibility of the parents. It is also their responsibilit y to provide wholesome recreation for the entire fanlily and not to push their children off into clubs, parties or gangs where they are not supervised by their parents.

Should you lei even the churches of Christendom take over the training of your children, to teach them godly principles? No, for these churches do not practice those principles. The Los Angeles Times this year declared: "The ministers and the priests who claimed leadership may have had it for an hour on Sundays, but not for much longer.

"It is a rare church in the modern struggling city which has any real influence over the conduct of its members.. . .To the poor, the churches a r e as distant and as selfish as the politicians and the businessmen."

Yet, just a few days later, one of the four, a prominent religious leader, a clergyman, "said today he planned to 'dislocate' Northern cities with massive but nonviolent demonstrations of civil disobedience."-Tne New York Times, August 16, 1967, page 1.

Such massive demonstrations of disobedience easily lead to violence and have often done so.

No, you will not help your children by letting the churches of this world take over their training. The most important reason why this is so is that, very simply, God has abaradoraed these churches! He is not with them. Of such God's Word states: "They publicly declare they know God, but they disown him by their works, because they are detestable and disobedient and not approved for good work of any sort." Jesus Christ similarly said: "Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord . . . ' And yet then I will confess to them: I never knew you . . . you workers of lawlessness."-Titus 1:16; Matt. 7: 21-23.

The churches have so little influence for good because they have abandoned God's Key to Success laws. They have compromised them for The key to success in avoiding lawlesstheir own interests. They water down the ness for yousself and your children is the Word of God, calling i t myth and legend, wisdom that comes only from God. No or discard it altogether. They are not psychologist, sociologist, or any other hudoing God's will. During wartime, they man agency, however well meaning, can support both sides of the conflict, even think as God thinks. Therefore the right blessing weapons of destruction, yet God's solutions to problems regarding lawlessWord clearly says: "A slave of the Lord ness must come from God. These he has does not need to fight, but needs to be had recorded in his Word, the Bible.

The first step necessary is for you to gentle toward all." (2 Tim. 2:24) These begin taking in lrnowledge of what God churches often instigate others to vioconsiders right. As Proverbs 3 :5, 6 urges: lence, although protesting that they are "Trust in Jehovah with all your heart and against it. For example, recently four do not lean upon your own understanding. prominent civil rights leaders stated: In all your ways take notice of him, and "Killing, arson, looting are criminal acts he himself will make your paths straight." and should be dealt with as such. Equally What about your children? God's Word guilty are those who incite, provoke and call counsels: "Fathers, do not be irritating specitically for such action!'-U.8.

News & your children, but go on bringing them World Report, August 7, 1967, page 11.

24

AWARE!

up in the discipline and authoritative advice of Jehovah."-Eph. 6: 4.

"But," you may ask, "isn't this just theory?" No, it is not just theory. It is practiced daily by hundreds of thousands of persons all over the world. These are seriously studying the Bible. They thus listen to God's voice. Then they do what God says to do. They teach their children to do likewise. They associate with others who do the same. In this way, they counteract Satanic pressures and the tendency humans have toward lawlessness. That is why Jehovah's witnesses, who are Bible lovers, are known world wide for being law abiding, peaceful. That is why there is no problem among them of increasing lawlessness. You and your children can share their lawful ways and security by coming into association with them.

No, you will not convert the world to lawful ways by your studying the Bible and learning its high principles. But you will be building a lawful and peaceful home. Your household does not have to be a copy of the lawless world outside.

Built on the right foundation of God's

JANUARY 8, 2965

Word, your family circle will stand firm ur.der the lawless pressures of today.

By your doing God's will, you can look forward to a new system of things where there will be no more lawlessness. Even if you tried to find a lawless person then, you would not be able to do so! Regarding lawless ones God promises: "You will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be."-Ds. 37:10.

That will mean the end of jails, the end of police forces, the end of armies, the end of weapons of destruction. It will also mean the end of man rule and demon rule that has brought such sadness and pain to the human family.

What a relief it will be to live in that new system of things, where you will never again have to lock your door or fear for the safety of your loved ones!

Soon, the lawful new system will be a reality. In the meantime, the best protection against lawlessness is to put your t m t in the Creator, Jehovah God. As the Bible promises: "Jehovah is guarding all those loving him, but all the wicked ones he will annihilate."-Ds. 145:20.

two years ago, a young couple where she confessed to the four offences.

"With her husband, she had decided to with two children living in London, become a Jehovah's Witness. And Mrs. M-, England, came in contact with Jehovah's a mother of two young children, felt that witnesses. A Bible study was started with the only way to 'wipe the slate clean' was to them. As they studied the promises of the go to the police. " 'She came purely voluntarily,' a police Bible and saw that lawlessness would end, officer told Greenwich Court. .. and learned about the incoming new order, "The magistrate said he would give her they desired to dedicate their lives to God. credit for confessing to the police and placed However, both of them had been violather on probation for a year." ing the law for some time. They were What of her husband? The Mercury of guilty of many acts of stealing. But by July 13, 1967, under the headline, "The their study of God's purposes and require- 'Converted' Raider Confesses All His ments they both became convinced that Crimes," said the following: they must settle "A man went to the police and confessed to their debt with the thefts a m o u n t i n g t o ARTICLES IN THE NEXT ISSUE law of the land. They thousands of pounds, Why Many Men Shun Religion. saw the need to "pay because he wanted to A New Kind of Furnace back, therefore, Caebe a Jehovah's Wit-the Nuclear Reactor. sar's things to Caeness.

What I s Femininity? sar, but God's things "And a t Woolwfch court last week, 24to God." (Matt. 22: year-old F- M- .. .pleaded guilty. ..

21) They wanted to have a good con"Two years ago M- started studying the science toward both God and m a n . ' Pet. Bible. Last year he wanted to be baptised 3:21. into the Jehovah's Witness faith, ...

The young wife confessed four crimes "M-'s wife said: 'There has been a treand her husband confessed almost forty, mendous change in my husband during the last two years. His Bible studies have brought involving property valued at more than a great change to his life.'. ..

28,500 ($20,400). Since the husband had "M-, who had three findings of guilt and three previous convictions, he expected to three previous convictions, was placed on get a heavy prison sentence. But his wife probation for two years." was prepared to stand by him and care This outcome was unexpected, but it for their two young children while he was delighted the couple. It is to the credit of in prison. the court that they recognized a sincere What was the result? In the newspaper, desire to turn away from a lawless course.

The Mercury, of June 15, 1967, under the Now that this family has learned to live headline "Why a Housewife Confessed," by the guide that God has provided, they the following was related: find great peace of mind and security.

"The police couldn't catch housewife CWith accurate knowledge of what God reM-.

She had committed four crimes but quires they are able to live with a clear changed her job and her address so often conscience before God and man. They can that she couldn't be traced. confidently look forward to the future.

"Then Mrs. M- started reading the Bible ...and later walked into a police station -Acts 24 :16.

AWAKE! 26

0VER

H

AVE you ever wondered about the seeming injustices of life? Those who have no time for God and little concern for fellowmen seem to prosper and live in comparative luxury, while those who love God and strive to live in harmony with his righteous principles often find their way beset by obstacles and hardships. Pndeed, there are those who go so far as to assert that the wicked get away with it and that the honest man cannot get along in this world.-Mal. 3:14, 15. "his state of affairs cannot help but be puzzling to sincere and honest persons until they are convinced of its basic cause as revealed in the Bible. Would you like to get your Bible? Then look up the text at 1John 5: 19; there it is written: "The whole world is lying in the power of the wicked one." Does not that explain a lot of things as to the prosperity of the wicked? a So, while Jehovah God is the Sovereign Ruler of the whole universe, including this planet, he is not the one who has organized and is responsible for the actions of the nations of this world. The invisible wicked one who is responsible for all mankind's woes is clearly identified in the Bible as "the original serpent, the one called Devil and Satan, who is misleading the entire inhabited earth."-Rev. 12:9; Matt. 13:38, 39.

The global system whereby Satan the Devil keeps in line all the nations of the JANUARY 8, 1968

world is likened to a wild beast, for it is heartless and brutish in its manner of exercising authority over humans. Note what the apostle John saw in his inspired vision: "The dragon gave the beast its power and its throne and great authority. . . . authority was given it over every tribe and people and tongue and nation." (Rev. 13:2, 7; compare Daniel 7:19, 20, 23, 24.)

No nation can claim to be exempt from the ruling influence of this global political arrangement.

5And since Satan controls all the nations, it is evident that he has it in his power to enrich materially those who yield themselves readily to his anti-God campaign. True, God protects those who love and serve him, but he does not guarantee them material prosperity in Satan's system of things. He does guarantee spiritual prosperity and the necessities of life. As the psalmist so confidently expresses it: "A young man I used to be, I have also grown old, and yet I have not seen anyone righteous left entirely, nor his offspring looking for bread."-Ps. 37: 25.

NOWwe can better grasp the words of Jesus Christ to his disciples: "If you were part of the world, the world would be fond of what is its own. Now because you are no part of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, on this account the world hates you." (John 15:19) Sufficient reason, is it not, for this world to try to deny material prosperity to the followers of Christ?

Nevertheless, Christians should never envy worldlings their temporary prosperity, for their own prospects, if they continue faithful, far outweigh any prosperity this world can give. (Prov. 2:21, 22) This is because the world of unbelievers itself is but a vain and temporary thing, for John the apostle writes: "Everything in the world-the desire of the flesh and the

desire of the eyes and the showy display of one's means of life-does not originate wit11 the Father, but originates with the world. Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever."--1 John 2 :15-17.

Happily the passing away of this present wicked world will not be much longer delayed. The Bible, in fact, foretells the sudden action that will put the wicked ruler of this world out of action: "I saw, an angel coming down out of heaven with the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he seized the dragon . . .

And he hurled him into the abyss and shut it and sealed it over him, that he might not mislead the nations any more until the thousand years were ended." (Rev. 20:f-3) Thus, in symbolic fashion, is described how the wicked activity by "the god of this system of things" will come to an end.-2 Cor. 4:4; see also John 12:31.

That desirable event is to come soon, according to all the indications of Bible chronology and the facts of today. Meantime, however, while Satan still rules this system of things, those who are servants of God are under test. (Rev.2:fQ; 12:17) Will they go on serving the true God in spite of the hatred, the persecution, the discriminations and o t h e r h a r d s h i p s brought to bear upon them? Will they give out and capitulate to this present wicked system of things and its god just to gain the temporary enjoyment of the worldly material re~vards? loKing David of Israel, himself a man who showed willir~gnessto suffer for his worship of the true God, outlined the right attitude when he wrote: "Better is the little of the righteous one than the abundance of the m n y wicked ones. For the very arms of the wicked ones will be broken, but Jehovah will be supporting the

righteous ones. The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside 37:16, 17, 29. forever upon it."-Ps. l1 The wicked are indeed prospering today, and have been prospering during the long centuries during which Jehovah God has not interfered with world rule by Satan. But now a drastic change must come.

An everlasting, happy and peaceful life will be the reward of those who subject themselves to the will of God, whereas the wicked will be blotted out. So wise persons will heed and find great comfort in these inspired words of the Bible: "DD~ not be envious of those doing unrighteousness. And just a little while longer, *and the wicked one will be no more; and you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be. But the meek ones thenlselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in 37:1, 10, the abundance of peace."-Ps. 11;also read Ecclesiastes 8:ll-13.

( 1 ) Why do some persons assert that an honest man cannot get along in this world? ( 2 ) HOW does what the Bible says at 1 John 5: 19 help us to understand why the wicked prosper? ( 3 ) Who has organized and now controls and misleads the nations? ( 4 ) In view of Revelation 13:?, why can no nation claim to be free from the influence of Satan's global rule? ( 5 ) What does God guarantee for those who serve him amid Satan's system of things? ( 6 ) Why are Jesus' true followers hated by all the nations of this world? ( 7 ) What will be the future s f this wicked world? ( 8 ) How does the Bible give assurance that Satan's wicked activity will soon come to an end? ( 9 ) Meantime, what kind sf tests come upon those who choose to serve God, and who i s responsible for these tests? ( 1 0 ) How did King David rightly view the temporary prosperity of the wicked? ( 1 1 ) What assurance does Jehovah give as to the future of the wicked and of those who maintain faith in him?

AWAKE!

to 427, the Interior Ministry announced. An area of 350 square miles near Lisbon was reported flooded. Many died when houses collapsed under the deluge and other people drowned in flooded lowland areas.

British Devalue Pound

calls it a base perversion that

9 Britain, on November 18, will ultimately bring death.

devalued the pound sterling by 14.8 percent, from $2.80 to $2.40. The move was made in an attempt to lower the cost of British goods in foreign countries in the hope that exports would rise. In Britain devaluation means higher prices for every consumer, especially for imported goods.

Homosexuality Defended

9 In view of what the Bible says a t Romans 1:2732 about homosexuality, t h a t i t is wicked in God's eyes and "that those practicing such things are deserving of death," the pronouncements of clergymen who claim to serve God but publicly condone such immoral practices are shocking.

On November 28 ninety Episcopalian priests in New York state and vicinity classified homosexual acts between consenting adults as "morally neutral" and declared that in some cases such acts may even be a good thing. Canon Walter D. Dennis, of the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, said: "A homosexual relationship between two consenting adults should be judged by the same criteria as a heterosexual marriage-that is, whether il is intended to foster a p e m a nent relationship of love." But is that what God says? God JANUARY 8, 1968

Crhee Increasing

@ Police Commissioner Ho\vard R. Eeary of the New York police department said, on No. vember 22, that 1969 showed an "abnormal bulge" in rep o r t e d c r i m e s of violence --murder, felonious assault and robbery. Statistics made available showed a 13-percent increase in murders and a 15percent increase in felonious assaults. In robberies, there were 25,653 complaints during the first nine months of 1967, compared with 15,208 for the corresponding period of 1966.

Youth crimes are high. Arrests of juveniles-persons under 16 years of age-for robbery are up 43 percent for the nine months, it was reported. The New York Tbnes, on November 29, stated editorially: "The increased number of crimes in the streets is both statistical and actual. Things look worse on paper and they are also worse in fact. . . . New Yorkers can sense hostility roaming the streets. . . . People are afraid to venture out after dark."

Flash Bloods @ West central Portugal was

struck by torrential rains and swirling Aoods the weekend of November 26. The death toll from the weekend floods rose

Criminals Hold Upper Hand @ Brooklyn Borough President Abe Stark in a plea for more police painted a grim word picture of crime in New York streets. "Death, robbery and assault are no longer news," Stark said. "Terror stalks t h e citizens in the streets!' "Here in Brooklyn, business, social and religious activities that are normally conducted in evening hours are grinding to a halt. Our people are convinced crime and criminals have gained the upper. hand." People reveal that they are desperate and afraid for their lives.

"-4s Acceptable as Whole BIood"

9 JAMA Medical News for October 23 says: "The use of Ringer's lactate solution has become as acceptable as whole blood in shock and surgery patients. But the key questions of why it is effective and how much of the fluid to use remain controversial."

"Fed Up" with Lawlessness

9 Richard B. Morris, president of the National Association of Real Estate Boards, told the organization's convention on November 14 that the people of America are fed up with lawlessness. "We have had enough of the downgrading of law and custom, we. have had our fill of the denigration of the police, of flagburning, of sniping of looting and of a supersoft attitude toward the criminal. We have had altogether too much of the courts, low and high, taking the shackles off the criminal and putting them on the officers of the law. . . . Fundamental to all our problem-solving Inust he the re-establishment

119

...

of law and order.

No nation which permitted a continual drift into lawlessness, such as we have witnessed this past summer, has ever endured!'

Pope in the U.N. @ A published Associated

Press dispatch, dated November 11, stated that a Vatican official hinted that Pope Paul might ask United Nations membership for the Holy See. A member of the Vatican state secretariat told a news conference: "In principle nothing prevents the Holy See from participating in the UN in the future as a member state." His remarks were immediately taken as a trial balloon. The Vatican has had observer status at the U.N. since April 1964.

The Vatican representative said that the decision rested solely with the pope and that the pope would have to decide, which implied that the pope was considering the matter.

In Parochial Schools

@ Warren Hinckle, a promi. nent lay Catholic, 'in ~ o v e m . ber's Ramparts Maaazilze. founded by - lay ~atholics,re: portedly tells of his own experience in parochial schools, where "one gained the irnpression that reading the Bible might not be a good idea because it was filled with dangerous passages that only the Church could properly interAll I learned pret for you about Jews was that Christ had kicked them out of the temple for money-changing (nobody, nun or priest, made much about Christ being a Jew, too). Adjectives like 'perfidious' were applied to them in the prayers we had to memorize. A course in anti-communism was required," writes Hinckle of his Catholic college training. "I found my experience to be typical of other disillusioned or disenfranchised C a t h o l i c s who h a v e g o n e through Catholic schools. It is therefore no wonder that there is a revolt going on in the Catholic Church in America."

.. .

Church in PolilScs @ A published report

from

Rio de Janeiro says that the extreme left wing of Brazilian politics, which was all M obliterated by a military revolt in 1964, now shows sporadic signs of life. Some of its most active elements reportedly are looking to Rome and the Roman Catholic Church for help.

The account says: "The most articulate voices demanding social reform in Brazil today are raised by Catholic priests, and the only activists risking bloodshed in the streets are members of a student organization which has its roots in Only in the the church. . church, and in the student movement it spawned, is there any really organized protest against the government and the military men who chart its course." Is it any wonder that the political element resents religious meddling?

..

Results of Drinking @ Americans alone drink

about 215,000,000 gallons of alcoholic beverages a year. Nobody knows for certain how many Americans take a drink occasionally. But the number of alcoholics, people who repeatedly drink too much, now is estimated a t 4 to 5 million, about 4 percent of the adult American population Many claim this estimate is low. Recent evidence from eight states indicates that anywhere from 47 to 87 percent of the drivers involved in fatal accidents had been drinking. In 1965, automobiles t o o k 49,000 lives, caused 1,800,000 disabling injuries and cost about $S,900,000,000 in property damage, wage losses, medical expenses and insurance. The Bible advises moderation, and obviously for good reasons.

Former Priests @ According to Time for No-

vember 24, in the past 18 m o n t h s a n e s t i m a t e d 400 priests have left the Roman

Catholic Church in the United States. Time says: "For most of them, the transition to secular life is a traumatic experience. Unless a cleric enjoys private means, he is usually broke; unless he has close relatives, he has no place to stay.

Some are so inexperienced in the ways of the world that they show up for job interviews wearing sports shirts. A few are alcoholics. Many suffer from psychological problems." These former priests generally prefer to remain anonymous, because many people still remain suspicious of them. As one priest said: "I don't go around telling everyone that I used to be a priest."

.. .

What Value Religion? @ An Iowa State University

professor, Dr. Richard J. Van Iten, associate professor of philosophy, wrote in a high school newspaper what he thought about religion. He said: Religion is "the rotten residue of generations past."

"There is little in it (religion) of value." "Whatever its intrinsic value, our religion . . reeks of the pungent sickening odor of man," Dr. Van Iten wrote.

Other excerpts from his guest editorial: "We (the older generation) have tried religion.

Too frequently it has tried us.

We have nothing to pass on to you (the younger generation)--except whatever you are foolish enough to receive.

This includes religion Be religiousif you wLU. But, for man's sake, do not look to us for help. Those who cannot help themselves too often insist on helping others." Much of what the professor says is true, but he fails to differentiate the true religion from the false. As a result he shares with the failing religions in undermining the spiritual and moral values of others and throws a greater load on parents who seek to give proper guidance to their children.

.

. ..

The 'mew Morality" @ At the 87th annual meeting

of the West Virginia Council of Churches held in Parkersburg, one of the principal speakers, Dr. Joseph Fletcher, an Episcopal seminary professor, told assembled churchmen such things as: "Unmarried love would be infinitely superior to married unlove"; that he had "no doubt about the divinity of Jesus" but sometimes he has "trouble believing in the divinity of God." If you are wondering why the low moral tone in the world today, perhaps you can see the clergyman's words as a contributing reason.

Violence in Society @ Recent civil rights demon-

strations have spilled over into violence. And one alarming

JANUARY 8, 1968

word from the recent Washington march is that "demonstrations are all over. from now on, it's la bombe plastique." A group of delegates to the U.S. Conference on Church and Society asserted, on October 24, that violence is "an inherent fact in our society" and urged churches to identify with victims of violence. Motion pictures and television are alive with violence. One movie is proudly advertised as "dirty --a combination of lust, impotency, vulgarity, nudity, neuros i s , b r u t a l i t y , voyeurism, hatred and insanity that culminates in murder." Without a doubt we are witnessing the fruitage of a decadent society as this system of things speeds to its end at God's war of Armageddon.

..

Catholic Revolt @ The Washington Merry-Go-

Round by Drew Pearson reveals a real revolt within the Catholic church in America.

This revolt has "found priests rebelling against the hierarchy a t Catholic University in Washington, Father William Dubay calling Cardinal McIntyre of Los Angeles a bigot." Dubay, now suspended, urged that the church give up its tax-exempt status. "If the Church's $44 billion of tax-free property were taxed a t normal rates," the priest pleaded, "enormous federal benefits could go to the poor." Of the 180,000 nuns in the United States, The Ladies' Home Journal estimates that, in 1966, 3,600 cast off their robes in revolt against Church conservatism.

News sources that are able to keep you awake to the vital issues of our times must be unfettered by censorship and selfish interests. "Awake!" has no fetters. It recognizes facts, faces facts, is free to publish facts. It is not bound by political ties; i t is unhampered by traditional creeds. This magazine keeps itfelf free, that i t may speak freely to you. But i t does not labuse its freedom. I t maintains integrity t o truth.

The viewpoint of "Awake!" is not narrow, but is international. "Awake!" has its own correspondents i n scores of nations. Its articles are read in many lands, in many languages, by millions of persons.

In every issue "Awake!" presents vital topics on which you should be informed. I t features penetrating articles on social conditions and offers sound counsel for meeting the problems of everyday life. Current news from every continent passes in quick review.

Attention i s focused on activities in the fields of government and commerce about which you should know. Straightforward discussions of relig,ious issues alert you to matters of vital concern. Customs and people i n many lands, the marvels of creation, practical sciences and points of human interest are all embraced in its coverage. "Awake!" provides wholesome, instructive 'reading for every member o f the family.

"Awake!" pledges itself to righteous principles, to exposing hidden foes and subtle dangers, to championing freedom for all, to comforting mourners and strengthening those disheartened by the failures of a delinquent world, reflecting sure hope for the estqblishment of God's righteous new order in this generation.

Get acquainted y i t h "Awake!" Keep awake by reading "Awake!"

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:it

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When other translations are ossd, this Is clearly marked.

CONTENTS "What's This World Coming To?" I

The Year 1914 a Turning Point How Do We Know We Are in the "Last Days"?

5 7

The Sign of the "Last Days" What Will the 1970's Bring?

1

13

1 (

A Grand ~ u t u r Ahead e in God's New Order!

I

A Time to 'Lift Up Your Head' in Confident Hope What Will It Cost You? Watching the World

I

"It is alrecldy +he hour for you to awake."

-Romans

Volume XLlX

13:11

Brooklvn. N.Y.. October 8. 1968

I

GET the feeling that we're on a runaway train or something-that the country has gone over the edge &d there's nothing I or anyone can do about it," said a doctor in Los Angeles.

"Society is coming apart a t the seams," stated an office worker in Chicago. "It's a murder epidemic," declared.a Negro student in Atlanta.

No doubt you, like most people, have been horrified by the increased crime, vialence and assassinations in the United States. The Wall Street Journal of June 6, 1968, observed: "Many converged on the appalling and dark conclusion: ~~~~i~~~ society is sick and frighteningly violent.,, is mad.,, of Par.s said: However, the problem of growing troubles is not confined to just one country!

In every nation on earth, including your own, serious difficulties are growing. If you live in a large city, do you not find that Siolence and crime are spreading? you fear down certain streets after dark? And when there is a knock at your door, do you not sometimes hesitate to Open it until YOU find out if it is someone you know?

Even in formerly peaceful villages and rural areas, people are being shaken by dd

Number 19

OCTOBER 8, 1968

events, if not by the larger problems of their countw, then by such things as the exploding immorality in their Own neighborhood, or by the disruption of family life on a scale never before experienced.

It is a fact that everywhere the political, economic, religious and moral situations a r e deteriorating. That is why people all over the .world, and likely you too, ask: "What's this world coming to?"

An answer to this question was noted in U.S. Ne'ws & World Report of June 3, 1968, when it said: "A climax of some kind seems to be approaching the world over : . It's not the U.S. alone that's hit. Uprisings have erupted in France, in West Germany, in Spain, in Britain. Communist Eastern Europe is affected. So is Red China."

.

Commenting on the fact that the problem is world wide, an editorial reprinted in the New York Times of June 10, 1968, stated: 3

"The American people will misread the meaning of Robert Kennedy's death if they view it solely as a self-contained American tragedy. The tragedy is the result of the spillover of violence and volatile tensions from one part of the world to another. . .

"We are a t the end of the age of purely national or even regional problems. Cornbustibles for setting the globe afire exist everywhere."

.

Showing how rapidly world conditions now are building up to some sort of climax, this same editorial added: "Throughout the entire world people are caught up in convulsive change.

Issues that formerly took a century or more to come to a boil are in constant eruption.

Everything is being bunched up-time, space, nations, peoples, issues. And everything has a fuse attached to it.

"The habits of nations, always variable, have become starkly irrational."

.. .

The noted columnist Walter Lippmann also observes that a climax of some sort is approaching, saying in Newsweek of October 9, 1967: L

"For us all the world is disorderly and dangerous, ungoverned and apparently ungovernable. Everywhere there is great anxiety and bewilderment. ...

"This marks, I believe, the historical fact that we are living through the closing chapters of the established and traditional way of life."

...

World leaders see these critical problems mounting. But they cannot find answers to them. As was said about United States President Johnson recently: "He has consulted the wisest men he knows and cannot figure out what else to do."

These leaders are much like the engineer on a runaway train speeding downhill. At the end of the hill there is a yawning canyon the bridge over which has been washed out. But the engineer cannot stop the train, for the brakes have failed! Disaster is certain.

What, then, does all of this world trouble mean? What is this world coming to?

Where can you find the answers to such 4

questions? There is only one proven source, a source that this world's leaders are ignoring. That source of answers is the In it has had for Our benefit all the information we need to answer these questions. "All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for . . . setting things straight.,,-2 s:16.

What does the Bible show as to the meaning of all these world events? It shows that for this unrighteow world time is running out fast! It shows that within a few years at mostthere will take place a 'limax in human affairs so gigantic that it will affect every person on earth, every man, woman and child. It will, without fail, affect you.

What is this climax? God himself will take a direct hand in world affairs. He will use his overwhelming power to crush wickedness and wicked people. (Rev. 11: 18) This act of God is called "Armageddon" in some Bible versions.

This climactic act of God will bring to a sudden end all the trouble and troublemakers in the world today. It will pave the way for an entirely new system of things where people who love ness will find true freedom and relief from the horrifying conditions of today.

So what is this world coming to? The Bible answers: "The world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that does the will of God remains forever." ( 1 John 2 :17) Yes, this violent, crime-ridden, wartorn world is coming to its end! Time is fast running out for it! It is much later for this world than you may think! Indeed, it has only a few more years of existence left!

Actually, we have been living in a transition period since the year 1914. In that year, this system of things began its downward plunge. It became like that runaway train speeding toward a chasm where certain destruction awaits it.

AWARE!

HE year 1914 was not an ordinary year. According to God's timetable, that year really ushered in what the Bible calls the "last days" for this 'system of things.-2 Tim. 3:l.

Notice just a few of the many statements of historians, statesmen and editorialists showing the significance of 1914 as an outstanding time marker, a turning point for mankind.

Normal times ended.

I

ARMAgBb(BN .

"The last completely 'normal' year in history was 1913, the year before World War I began."-Washington, D.C., TimesHerald, March 13, 1949.

However, is this not just an "Security and quiet have disappeared from the lives of men "American" view? No, it is since 1914. And peace? Since 1914, the Germans have not the view of authorities all known real peace nor has much of mankind."-Konrad Adenauer, chancellor, West Germany, January 20, 1964. over the world.

"In the year 1914 the world, as it was known and accepted then, came to an end. Far more than any year before or since was this the punctuation-mark of the twentieth century."

-British author James Cameron in the book entitled "1914."

"If the human race survives, some historian in the next century may well conclude that the day the world went mad was August 4, 1914.'-London Star, August 4, 1960.

...

I

9.

August 4, 1914, World War I began developing. But did not World War I1 mark an ,even greater turning point? No!

"The first [world] war marked a far greater change in history.

It closed a long era of general peace and began a new age of violence in which the second [world] war i s simply an episode. Since 1914 the world has had a new character: a . character of international anarchy. . . Thus the first World R. TrevorWar marks a turning point in modern history."-H. Roper, British historian, August 1, 1954.

"It is indeed the year 1914 rather than that of Hiroshima which marks the turning point in our time, it was the first world war that ushered in the era of confused transition in the midst of which we are floundering."-Scientific Monthly, July 1951.

.

...

OCTOBER 8, 1968

5

...

I n addition to anarchy and confusion, 1914 brought the era of total war and of unprecedented insecurity.

"The world as man knew it was forever ending, and from July 28 to August 4, 1914, the leaders and the led ioined in pronouncing the death sentence.

World War I was the end of the Golden Age, the beginning of Total War." -Hanson W. Baldwin, American military analyst, July 26, 1964.

"If ever there was a year that marked the end of an era and the beginning o f another, it was 1914. That year brought to an end the old world with its sense o f security and began the modern age, characteristic o f which i s the insecurity that i s our daily portion."-A. 1. Rowse, Oxford historian and biographer, June 28, 1959.

Has the half century since 1914 seen any return to norm a l c y ? Or h a s t h e plunge downward picked up speed?

Consider the facts.

"A deterioration has been going on since the first World War.'-Dwight D. Eisenhower, former president of the United States, September 13, 1965.

"Since 1914 civilization has constantly deteriorated. Nowadays it is on the verge of collapse.v'-Newark News, November 20, 1960.

"We seem to leap from incident to incident. Suddenly there i s a new emergency and men die. Since 1914, great empires have collapsed and nations hardly known then are now world We have tried war, appeasement, charity, diproblems. plomacy, the League of Nations, the United Nations. These Obviously something happened [in efforts have failed.

19141 which altered the course o f life. That alteration has not been for the better."-New York Journal-American, January 24, 1952.

...

...

...

...

\

But just because the year 1914 is rec- by Babylon. That was in the year 607 ognized as a turning point, does that in B.C.E. Thus, the "appointed times of the itself make it the start of the "last days"? nations," as Jesus Christ later called them, began.-Luke 21:24.

What confirms this conclusion?

When did these 2,520 years end? CountBoth in Bible chronology and in the events that were foretold to take place ing from 607 B.C.E. to 1B.C.E. would be from 1914 onward we find confirmed be- 606 full years; from 1 B.C.E. to 1 C.E. is yond doubt that 1914 was the beginning one year; and from C.E. 1 to C.E. 1914 is 1,913 years. Thus, 606 plus 1plus 1,913 of the end for this present system.

Briefly stated, in the Bible there is a gives us 2,520 years, ending in 1914."

However, is this prophecy relating to remarkable prophecy concerning the number of years that God would allow the chronology the only proof that 1914 political nations uninterrupted rule over marked the beginning of the "last days"? earth's affairs. The time allotted by God No. There is far more to the matter than that. Consider what came with that date would be 2,520 years altogether.

When did this period of 2,520 years 1914. * For a more detalled explanation of thls time begin? It began when God permitted the period please see the book "Babylon the Great Has nation of ancient Israel to be overthrown Fallen!" God's Kingdom Rules!, pp. 174 to 181.

AWAKE!

we are in the

H

OW can we be sure we are living in the period of time called the "last days"? Aside from chronology, what definite proof is there that this era began in the year 1914? How long a time is covered by it? When will it end?

The phrase "last days" comes from Bible prophecy such as that recorded a t 2 Timothy chapter 3, verse 1, where the apostle Paul states: "In the Zast days critical times hard to deal with will be here." It is the same time period that Jesus Christ referred to when his disciples asked him what the sign "of the conclusion of the system of things" would be.

I -Matt. 24:3.

This time period has a definite beginning and a definite end. It is similar to the last day of a week, which has a defiOCTOBhR 8, 1968

nite beginning at midnight and a definite end twenty-four hours later. During the time period of the "last days" certain events would take place, after which God would bring the period to an end by crushing out of existence this present wicked world.

The events that Jesus, the apostle Paul and other Bible writers bring to our attention were all to take place within the same generation. (Matt. 24: 34) These events would identify which generation's lifetime would embrace the "last days," much as your fingerprint identifies you.

Your fingerprint contains a pattern of marks, or lines, different from what any other person has. Likewise, the "last days" contain their own pattern of marks, or events, that all come together to form a "fingerprint" that cannot possibly belong to any other generation.

Remember, however, that it is not just one of these events by itself that is crucial, although each is highly significant.

All of them must come together in the same generation, like the different lines that come together on one of your fingers to form your fingerprint.

Before describing these identifying events, Jesus cautioned: "You are going to hear of wars and reports of wars; see that you are not terrified. For these things must take place, but the end is not yet."

(Matt. 24:6) True to his words, such things did happen for centuries after the time when Jesus was on earth.

Then, Jesus began listing the worldshaking events that would constitute a "sign" marking the beginning and duration of the "last days." (Matt. 24:3) Let us now examine some of these events, and others foretold in the Bible, that make up this sign. Observe how they have been undergoing fulfillment since 1914.

rfl1

OF THE

"2d$r :'rA# 1

"NATION WlLL RISE AGAUNST NATION AND KUNGDOM AGAINST 24~7;Rev. 6:4.

KINGDOM." "TAKE PEACE AWAY."-Matt. "[World War I] killed more men than any previous war, and i t was the first war to suck in whole nations, including c i v i l i a ns.'-life, March 13, 1964.

"In its scope, its violence, and dbove all, in its, totality, i t established a precedent. World War I ushered in the century of Total War, of -in the first full sense of the term-global war.

Never before 1914-1918 had a war absorbed so much of the total resources of so

...

/

many combatants and covered so large a part of the earth. Never had so many nations been involved. Never had the slaughter been so comprehensive and indiscriminate."-World War I,

by Hanson W. Baldwin, 1962.

"Twb World Wars have left a legacy of dead which number more than all the armies engaged in any war that made \ancient or medieval history. No half-century ever witnessed slaughter on such a scale, such cruelties and inhumanities, such wholesale deportations of peoples into slavery, such annihilations of minorities."

-Mr. Justice Jackson at Nuremberg trial of Nazi war criminals, in Tyranny on Trial, b y Whitney R. Harris, 1954.

"THERE WlLL BE FOOD SHORTAGES ANOTHER."-Matt, 24r7.

a minimum adequate diet 8

. . . I N ONE PLACE AFTER

"During and after the 19-14-1918 war famine conditions were widespread in many parts of Europe. Millions died in the Russian famine alone."-Encyclopcedia Britannica, 1946.

"After World War 11, there occurred the greatest world-wide shortage of food in history."-World Book Encyclopedia, 1966.

"The world food situation i s now more precarious than at any time since the period of acute shortage immediately after the Second World War."-B. R. Sen, Director General of AWAKE!

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, 1966.

"Every 8.6 seconds someone in an underdeveloped country dies as a result of illness caused 10,000 every day. Over by malnutrition.

...

3,500,000 every year."-New York Times, December 29, 1967.

"Everyone admits that more than half of the world is undernourished, with many starving."

-Natural History, May 1968.

"IN ONE PLACE AFTER ANOTHER PESTILENCES."-Luke "No recorded pestilence before or since has equaled the 1918-1919 death toll in numbers.

In those two years an estimated 21,000,000 died of influenza-pneumonia throughout the world, some 850,000 in the United States alone."-The Saturday Evening Post, September 26, 1959.

. ..

"The influenza epidemic of 1918 was a pandemic [universal in scope], a brutal and savage killer that stalked the world, respecting neither race nor color nor age.

In Alaska, entire Eskimo villages were wiped out before help could arrive. In India, where five million persons died, burning ghats and burial grounds

...

.. .

2l:ll.

were piled with corpses.

Only two places in the world escaped: St. Helena in the South Atlantic and Mauritius, a small island in the Indian Ocean."-Today's Health, October 1967.

"More people are chronically ill for longer periods and with less relief than ever before."

--New York Post, December 6, 1967.

Disease and pestilence continue to rage.

Millions die each year from cancer and heart trouble. Venereal disease is spreading rapidly.

Cholera, typhoid and other epidemics occur in country after country, especially in Asia, Africa and Latin America.

...

"THERE WILL BE EARTHQUAKES IN ONE PLACE AFTER ANOTHER."-Matt.

24~7. " I n this century earthquakes have killed more t h a n 9 0 0 1 00 0 p e o p l e . " -C h a n g i n g T im e 5 I M a Y 1968.

In 1915, 30,000 were killed at Avezzano, Italy. In 1920, 180,000 died in Kansu, China.

In 1923, 143,000 perished in Tokyo-Yokohama, Japan. In 1935, 60,000 were killed in Quetta, India. In 1939, 23,000 died in Erzincan, Turkey.

In 1950 a gigantic quake, one of the most violent ever, ripped mountains to pieces in Assam, India.

In this decade alone-1960: 5,700 were killed in Chile; 12,000 in Morocco. 1962: 10,000 died in Iran. 1963: Skoplje, Yugoslavia, and El Merj, Libya, largely destroyed. 1964: Gigantic quake in Alaska unleashed 400 times more energy than all nuclear bombs ever exploded.

1965: Devastation in Chile, El Salvador. 1966: 3,000 were killed in eleven nations; large part of Tashkent, Russia, destroyed. 1967: Quakes rocked Chile, Colombia, France, Indonesia, Turkey, Venezuela.

-

"INCREASING OF LAWLESSNESS."-Matt.

...

"A plague of lawlessness and violence is now sweeping the globe."-New York Times, June 6, 1968. "~iscdFd and violence now are emerging from one end of the globe to the other."

-US. News & World Report, June 10, 1968.

.. .

OCTOBER 8, 1968

24~12.

.. .

"No Filipino i s safe in the streets today. thrill killing, vandalism, and general mayhem i s steadily increasing."-Philippine Islands Weekly Graphic, May 13, 1q64.

"We can't have even one day of peaceful life in Seoul because in the evenings the streets

9

become streets of terror."'---South Chosun Daily, April 14, 1964.

Korean

..

"Violent ,-rime isnow running a virtual explosion of crime.

Rising disorder, drift to anarchy and mounting lawlessness.

Being loosed on the streets in city after city is

...

"LblSOBEDIE#T TO PABBIAITS."--P "There has been a tremendous and disturbing increase in the number of crimes carried out by I t has occurred in young people today. many countries throughout the world."-The Psychology of Crime, by David Abrahamsen, 1960.

...

"Almost everywhere, including Soviet Russia,

...

"Most of us love money much more than any of the things i t will buy. It i s n o t a means t o a n end for us, i t is a passion."-The Paper ,Economy, b y David T. Bazelon, 1963.

a wave o f violent crime--murder, rape, assault.

Racial violence, accompanied b y arson and sooting on Q huge scale, sweeps urban areas as police stand b y helplessly."-U.S. News & World Report, August 9, 1965; June '87, 1968.

Tim. 3:2. there appears to be an increase in crime, and particularly, alas, in juvenile crime."-U.S. News 8 World Report, November 1, 1965.

.. .

"The 'teenage i s a rebellious, oppositional society, dedicated to the proposition that the grownup world i s a sham."--The Challenge of Crime i n a Free Society, 1967.

"In our investigations we've found, as an average, that one out of every three employees i s basically dishonest-which means he will seek ways of stealing; that [another] one out of every three employees will be dishonest i f given the opportunity."-Toronto manager o f Pinkerton's Detective Agency, in Canadian Weekly, September 7-13, 1963.

'"LOVERS 0 1 P PLEASURES RATHER THAW LQVERS QF -2 Tim. 3:4.

GOD.""

"Our greatest danger is in the decline in religious conviction and moral character.

It's reached.0 level that should be a great concern."-Michigan Governor George Romney, Look, September 24, 1963.

.. .

"Adultery seems to be as widely practiced as i t must have been in the orgiastic days before the Flood."-Pageant, August 1957.

"Not only have vast numbers of Americans lost all sense of the sacred, the moral, and the ethical, but the spiritual leaders from both the laity and the priesthood are often found in the forefront of this irreligious pursuit of comfort

fO

AWAKE!

.. .

rather than conviction of the pleasant life rather than the meaningful life.

"The criticisms of God rank well above almost all other criticisms of the hour. More people-in more ways and on more occasions--cast doubt, hurl darts, and throw charges against God such as this counfry has never seen in all of its his-

...

tory."-United States Senator Frank Carlson, June 19, 1'968.

"We are not living in ordinary times.

The morals with which we have grown up are being God has been dethroned; sex cast aside has been deified."-Brisbane, Australia, Courier-Mail, June 15, 1964.

.. .

...

"HAVING A FORM OF GODLY DEVOTION BUT PROVING FALSE TO ITS POWER."-2 Tim. 3:5.

"The church has rarely been poorer spiritually than it is today as unlike the apostolic church of the first century, of the Bible concept of the church of Christ, as i s possible to find: A cursory reading of the New Testaw e strain at gnats ment would show that and swallow camels."-Two clergymen in Toronto Star Weekly, March 28, 1964.

.. .

. .. . ..

"The majority of our people are members of The the Church, but are really unbelievers. spark of faith perhaps still alive in them has been smothered by their association with the Church."-Lutheran Church booklet Mit einander fur einander beten ("Praying with One Another and for One Another"), Germany, 1963. but "The church-mouths its pious phrases it lulls its people to sleep." People are leaving the churches "because they are looking at the lives of the church as we are living it and they are seeing how phoney i t is."-Professor of religious education, in The Christian Index, December 14, 1967.

.. .

.. .

"MEN BECOME FAINT OUT OF FEAR."-Luke "The emotion -David October

fact i s that today the biggest single which dominates our lives is fear."

Lawrence,- U.S. News & World Report, 11, 1965.

"At a l l levels of American life, people share similar fears, insecurities and gnawing doubts t o such an intense degree that the country may in fact be suffering from a kind of national nervous breakdown."-The Notional Committee for an Effective Congress, December 25, 1967.

"More than 120 dillion Americans would die

"RUINING THE EARTH."-Rev.

in the event of a Soviet missile attack If it were to include urban centers, the death t o l l w o u l d be 1 4 9 million."

-United States Secretary of Defense, N . Y. Times, February 19, 1965.

...

...

11:18.

"We are rapidly destroying our planet as a habitat for [man]."-Natural History, May 1968.

OCTOBER 8, 1968

21:26.

"This planet is approaching 'a crisis which may destroy its suitability as a place for human society.'

. ..

"Man and his works are disrupting the numerous complex and interrelated processes upon which this planet's web o f life depends. Thus earth's supply of available oxygen i s being

. ..

depleted large bodies o f water are steadily being fouled the precarious balance o f nature i s being disturbed on a scale without precedent.'-N. Y. Times, January 1, 1968.

. ..

"THIS GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM WILL BE PREACHED IN ALL THE IWHABBTED EARTH FOR A WBTNESS TO ALL THE WATIOWS; AHD THEM THk END WILL COME."-Ma##. 24:14.

"Jehovah's witnesses have literally covered It may be the earth with their witnessing. truly said that no single religious group in the world displayed more zeal and persistence i n the attempt to spread the good news o f the Kingdom than the Jehovah's witnesses."-These Also Believe, b y Charles S. Braden, 1950.

...

...

"All religion i s anathema to the Soviets. nothing infuriates them quite as much as do Pravda reports that Jehovah's witnesses. the Witnesses are becoming increasingly active.

Faith i s spreading, and all the mighty resources of the state seem unable to destroy it."

-Toronto Daily Star, July 2, 1960.

...

...

There are many other features of the sign marking the "last days." But the ones listed above are sufficient to show how Bible prophecy has been fulfilled.

However, some persons may here state: 'Well, wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, crime-these are all features of human living in every age. I t would not be difficult for anyone to predict that they would occur again. And, such a prophecy could apply to many periods.'

Is this true? No, it is not, as thoughtful reasoning will show. It is one thing to foretell such events or conditions, it is another thing to foretell them on tlne scale indicated, as affecting the entire globe; to foretell that they would occur concurrently in only one generation; to foretell that they would come at the time indicated in Bible prophecy. That is why the publishers of this magazine called at-

"The demand for Bible literature about God's kingdom on the part o f the people throughout the earth has been so great i n the last twenty years that it has been necessary for the Watch Tower Society to print more than 100 million bound books and more than 325 million more than 1,300,000,000 Watchbooklets tower magazines and more than 1,100,000,000 Jehovah's witnesses Awake! magazines. are preaching the good news o f God's kingdom in 197 lands and islands of the sea. Their Bible literature now appears in 165 languages."

-1 968 Yearbook of Jehovah's Witnesses, page 29.

. ..

...

tention to the year 1914 as far back as 1879, pointing out that disastrous conditions would begin then. Indeed, fifty-four years ago, the New York World of August 30, 1914, said: "The terrific war outbreak in Europe has fulfilled an extraordinary prophecy. For a quarter of a century past, through preachers and through press, the 'International Bible Students' . . have been proclaiming to the world that the Day of Wrath prophesied in the Bible would dawn in 1914. 'Look out for 1914!' has been the cry of the evangelists."

.

...

Yet, while these witnesses of Jehovah were proclaiming that 1914 would bring the worst time of trouble in history, what were others saying? In the book 1913: America Between Two Worlds [I9621 author A. Valentine notes: "Secretary of State Bryan said [in 19131 that 'conditions promising world peace were never more favorable than now,' and Andrew

Carnegie said war with Germany had never 'even been imagined.' " Thus, right up to t h c v e r y brink of World War I, prominent world leaders were forecasting an age of social uhity and enlightenment. If the conditions that have come since 1914' were easily predictable, then why did not such men foresee them and sound the warning?

Still, some object and say: 'Oh, it's only the population increabe and better reporting methods that make things seem so much worse today.' An answer to this comes from the following news report: "Washington, May 31 (AP)-FBI Director

J. Edgar Hoover assailed today those who attempt to minimize the nation's crime problem by blaming it on the large increase in the youthful population and fuller tabula_ tions by police. . He said those who try to 'explain away the shocking truth behind crime statistics' are doomed to failure"

:

T

..

HE fact that fifty-four years of the period called the "last days" have already gone by is highly significant. It means that only a few years, a t most, re; main before the corrupt system of things dominating the earth is destroyed by God. How can we be so certain of this?

One way is by noting what Jesus said when he gave his great prophecy about the "last days." After he listed the many events that would mark this period, he also stated: "Truly I say to you that this

So do not misread the evidence. It is all there, and it is positively overwhelming, particularly so because the evidence has continued in force for more than half h century now! And if all this is not the fulfillment of Bible prophecy concerning the "last days," then i what does it require? What more could be expected in the way of fulfillment?

For your own welfare, you should face the fact that all the many lines of the "finge,qrint" for the "last days" stand out sharply, crystal clear. They allow for only Ohe meaning: that we have been in the "last days" since 1914!

Crucial questions now arise: Is there any indication in God's timetable as to how much time there is left before this system of things comes to its end?_Can we know how many more years remain for this violent system of things?

generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur."-Matt. 24 :34.

Jesus was obviously speaking about those who were old enough to witness with understanding what took place when the "last days" began. Jesus was saying that some of those persons who were alive a t the appearance of the 'sign of the last days' would still be alive when God brought this system to its end.

Even if we presume that youngsters 15 years of age would be perceptive enough

%

to realize the import of what happened in Christians have prayed for during many; 1914, it would still make the youngest of "this generation'' nearly 70 years old today. So the great majority of the generation to which Jesus was referring has already passed away in death. The remaining ones are approaching old age. And remember, Jesus said that the end of this wicked world would come before that generation passed away in death. This, of itself, tells us that the years left before the foretold end comes cannot be many.

6,000 Years Nearing Completion There is another way that helps confirm the fact that we are living in the final few years of this "time of the end." (Dan. 12:9) The Bible shows that we are nearing the end of a full 6,000 years of human history. What significance does this have?

When God gave his laws to ancient Israel, one of those laws involved keeping the sabbath day holy. On the seventh day of the week there was to be no labor. The people were to rest from all their toil. (Ex. 20:8-11) The Bible states that "the Law has a shadow of th& good things to come."

-Heb. 10:1.

Revelation chapter 20, verse 6, shows that God's heavenly kingdom will rule over the earth for one thousand years after the end of this system of things.

That millennium will bring a sabbathlike rest to the earth and aIl those then inhabiting it. Hence, the first six thousand years since man's creation could be likened to the first six days of the week in ancient Israel. The seventh one-thousandyear period could be likened to the seventh day, the sabbath, of that week.-2 Pet. 3:8.

How fitting it would be for God, following this pattern, to end man's misery after six thousand years of human rule and follow it with His glorious Kingdom rule for a thousand years! This Kingdom

14

centuries.-Matt.

6 :10.

When Do 6,000 Years End? How can it be determined when 6,000 years of human history will end?

According to reliable Bible chronology, Adam and Eve were created in 4026 B.C.E." From the autumn of 4,025 years 4026 B.C.E. to 1 B.C.E. 1 B.C.E. to 1 C.E. .................... 1 year 1 C.E. to 1968 C.E. .......... 1,967 years

....

Total to autumn 1968 .... 5,993 years This would leave only seven more years from the autumn of 1968 to complete 6,000 full years of human history. That seven-year period will evidently finish in the autumn of the year 1975.

Does this mean that the above evidence positively points to 1975 as the time for the complete end of this system of things?

Since the Bible does not specifically state this, no man can say. However, of this we can be sure: The 1970's will certainly see the most critical times mankind has yet known. The deterioration in human relations-within families, communities, cities and nations, and between nations -will worsen, not improve. (2 Tim. 3: 13) If the 1970's should see intervention by Jehovah God to bring an end ta a corrupt world drifting toward ultimate disintegration, that should surely not surprise us.

If you feel that this is painting the picture too darkly, consider what warnings the hard facts have forced even men of this world to express. They sense that disaster is approaching, but, lacking the Bible's guidance, they do not know what to do about it. That is why U.S. News & World Report of June 10, 1968 said: "What is developing, as many experts see it, is an era of confusion and doubts unlike anything experienced!'

* For further details see the book "AZZ Scripture Is Inspired of God and Beneficial,'$ pp. 283 t o 286.

AWAKE!

6,000 YEARS OF HUMAN HISTORY ENDING IN 1975 1,656 MARS

857 YEARS

906 YEARS

2,520 YEARS A

h lpoo

4,000 T

5,0w T

61 YEARS

3 n

6,000

I

4026 B.C.E., W S CREATION

2370 B.C.E., 1513 B.C.E., NOACHIAN ISRAEL'S EXODUS ROOD FROM EGYPT

Concerning political instability, former U.S. Secretary of State Dean Acheson said in 1960: "I know enough of what is going on to assure you that, in 15 years from today [or, by 19751, this world is going to be too dangerous to live in."

And of the struggle between communism and capitalism, Intell&ence Digest of August 1967 said: "The facts . . . show that the forces in the world struggle are grouping themselves for a decisive show-down."

Everywhere national currencies are in trouble. Alfred Shaefer, chairman of Switzerland's Union Bank, said in 1968: "Everywhere you see a shakiness. Time is running out. Something disagreeable could happen at any time."

Large cities are in such a state of affairs that efforts to patch them. up have proved hopelessly insufficient. The air, water and land are becoming polluted to the point of saturation. Transportation in many nations is a major killer, and the crush of traffic often paralyzes major cities for hours. Schools and colleges are in a dilemma as to maintaining order.

Drug addiction and immorality have reached unimagined extremes. Law enforcement becomes increasingly difficult, with the public often apathetic toward corruption and even showing violent animosity toward the police. In the United States, firemen are frequently attacked when answering fire calls.

Nor can the religious systems of ChrisOCTOBER 8, 1968

607 B.C.E., 29 C.E., JERUSALEM JESUS DESTROYED BAPTIZED

1914 C.E., 1975 C.E., "LAST D A Y S ' E N D OF BEGIN 6,000 YEARS

tendom stem the tide, for they too are in a state of growing chaos. An Associated Pressdispatch on November 24, 1967, reported :

.

"Christian theology . . today is in a state of chaos, many of its experts admit. 'Today, we are at the end of a theological era, with the old theological systems a shambles,' says the Rev. James I. McCord, president of Princeton Theological Seminary."

One of the greatest problems, beyond man's solving, is the coming food shortage due to the population explosion. In the book Famine-1975! food experts W. and P. Paddock state: "By 1975 a disaster of unprecedented magnitude will face the world. Famines, greater than any in history, will ravage the undeveloped nations!'

"I forecast a specific date, 1975, when the new crisis will be upon us in all its awesome importance."

"By 1975 civil disorder, anarchy, military dictatorships, runaway inflgtion, transportation breakdowns and chaotic unrest will be the order of the day in many of the hungry nations."

And the Arizona Republic said on June 2, 1968, that Professor R. Heilbroner of New York "predicted that in the early 1970's, 'the greatest catastrophe the world has ever known' will occur when population far outstrips the available food supply."

Just a 'Passing Phase'?

Some will object and say that these distressing conditions are just a 'passing 15

phase' in world affairs. 'Things will straighten out and the present systems will gradually improve,' they may say.

But on what basis can you believe this?

Have men successfully coped with these conditions, or, to the contrary, has history and your own personal experience proved that these conditions have worsened?

Ask yourself: What is the trend? Are men becoming less selfish and more loving? Are they becoming less ambitious and proud? Are they tending toward greater humility, greater love for their neighbor and concern for his welfare? I s there less violence, less hatred in the world? I s it more peaceful, less dangerous?

The facts answer, No! He is not solving his problems. Instead, his management of earth is producing crises of ever greater proportions. So why believe that conditions under man's rule will improve? Why not face the facts as stated in the Bible that this present system is headed for a crash, but that before it goes to pieces completely from its own badness, Almighty God is going to step in and execute his judgment upon it?-Jer. 25:31-33; Rev. 18:1-8; 19:11-21.

Change Ahead in World Government It is very appropriate for God to bring an end to man's rule. On their own, independent from God, men and nations have brought ever greater disaster to the human family. Unable to get what they want by legitimate and just means, they have drenched the earth with the blood of innocent people.-Isa. 26 :21.

Editor David Lawrence acknowledged on September 25, 1967: "Unhappiness on earth is man-made. Our key weakness is that we have not solved the problem of self-government." And the editor of Intelligence Digest admitted in August of 1967: "Only God can settle world affairs.

The materialistic concept that, by his own

unaided efforts, man can establish lasting peace is directly contrary to Christian teaching."

However, since the majority of humans and their leaders do not really want God as their ruler, they will have to be taken out of the way. That is why Bible prophecy says of our time: "In the days of those kings the 'God of heaven will set up a kingdom th%t will never be brought to ruin. And t h e kingdom itself will not be passed on to any other people. It will c r u s h a n d put an end to all these kingdoms, and it itself will stand to times indefinite." (Dan. 2: 44) What a relief t h i s will bring t o those who are sick of all the bloodshed, strife and corruption!

Those who submit to God's requirements will be protected by him through the coming Armageddon destruction of -this system of things. He promises: "Seek Jehovah, all you meek ones of the earth, who have practiced His own judicial decision. Seek righteousness, seek meekness.

Probably you may be concealed in the day 2:3. , of Jehovah's anger."-Zeph.

After the end of this system of things, then what? A new day will dawn for the human family! Armageddon survivors will begin to enjoy all the benefits of a righteous new order. Just what will conditions be like on earth then? What blessings will flow to the human family during this 1,000-year rule of God's kingdom? For your own encouragement, examine these conditions and benefits in the light of God's promises.

AWAKE!

1 HEN God puts an end to this present system of things shortly, it will pave the way for his clean new order for earth.

Armageddon will rid the earth of war, violence, crime and injustice. Divisive governments, religions and economic systems will be gone forever.

With God's heavenly kingdom the only government ruling over the earth, God's

W

supreme power for doing good will be manifested by his showering down blessings on those of mankind who will live in that new order. Following are a few heartwarming prophecies from God's Word. Many of them find their fulfillment primarily in a spiritual sense now among God's servants. But they also foretell literal and physical blessings.

NO MORE WAR OR CRIME-MANKIND

AT PERFECT PEACE

Who will bring total disarmament? " [God ] is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth.'-Ps. 46:9.

All survivors of Armageddon will have already done this: "They will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war any more."-lsa.

2:4.

Why will that peace know no future disturbance? "Evildoers themselves will be cut off, , the wicked one will be no more."-Ps. 37: 9, 10.

..

"bnd my people must dwell i n a peaceful abiding place and in residences of full confidence and in undisturbed.resting places."-lsa.

32:18.

'

.....

....._

WlLaW AND A#IMA$bS AP PEACE WITH g b # l AWa'CHBR

Neither will animalistic men nor literal beasts then be a danger.

"The wolf will actually reside for a while with the male lamb, and with the kid the leopard itself will lie down, and the calf and the maned young lion and the well-fed animal all together; and a mere little boy will be leader over them. And the cow and the bear themselves will feed; together their young ones will lie down. And even the lion will eat straw just like the bull.

And the suckins child will certainly play u p i n the hole of the cobra; and upon the light aperture o f a poisonous snake will a weaned child actually put his own hand. They will not do any harm or cause any ruin."-lsa.

11 6 9 .

a

18

--.--+*--..-.

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ip

& ~ ; ~ ~ ? ~ ~ ~ , ~

B,ii;:re .$I

creeping thing of the ground, down i n security."-Hos. 2:18.

. . . I will

make them lie

AWAKE!

ELIMINATlON OF SlCKMESS AND DEATHIWTRODUCTMOW OF PERFECT HEALTH AND EVERLASTlNG LlFE A l l persons will become healthy, spiritually, mentally and physically.

"At that time the eyes of the blind ones will be opened, and the very ears of the deaf ones will be unstopped. At that time the lame one 'will climb up just as a stag does, and the tongue of the speechless one will cry out in gladness."

-Isa. 356, 6. , "And [God] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be any more.'-Rev. 2 1:4.

God's power can even reverse the aging process.

"Let his flesh become fresher than in youth; let him return to the days of his youthful vigor."

--Job 33:25.

"The gift God gives i s everlasting life b y Christ Jesus our Lord."-Rom. 6:23.

"Everyone exercising faith in him might have everlasting life."-John 3:16.

. ..

Even the dead will come back from the grave.

"The hour i s coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out."

-John 5:28, 29.

"The sea gave up those dead i n it, a n d d e a t h a n d Hades [ t h e g r a v e l gave u p those d e a d i n them.'-Rev. 20:13.

EARTH TRANSFORMED INTO A BOUNTIFUL PARADISE The fruits of good works (Gal. 5:22, 231 will be matched by earthly fruitfulness.

"The mountains and the hills themselves will become cheerful before you with a joyful outcry, and the very trees of the field will all clap their hands. lnstead of the thicket of thorns the iuniper tree will come up. lnstead af the stinging nettle the myrtle tree will come up."

--Isa. 55:12, 13.

"The wilderness and the waterless region will exult, and the desert plain will be joyful and blossom as the saffron."-lsa.

35:l.

"You will be with me in Paradise."-Luke 23:43.

Malnutrition and famine will be things of the past; "Jehovah of armies will certainly a banmake for all the peoples quet of well-oiled dishes, a banquet of wine kept on the dregs, of welloiled dishes filled with marrow."-lsa.

25:6.

"There will come to be plenty of grain on the earth; on the top of the mountains there will be an overflow."

-Ps. 72:16.

"Pouring rains of blessing there will prove to be. And the tree of the field must give its fruitage, and the land itself will give its yield, and they will actually prove to be on their soil in security.'-Ezek.

34:26, 27.

"The earth itself will certainly give its produce; God, our God, will bless 67:6.

US.'-Ps.

...

ALL HOUSING PROBLEMS SOLVED No slums; no crowded living conditions.

"They will certainly build houses and have occupancy They w i l l not build and .someone else .have occupancy; they will not plant and someone else do the eating. the work of their own hands my chosen ones will use to the full. They will not toil for nothing, nor will they bring to birth for disturbance."-lsa.

65:21-

. ..

.. .

23.

No need for protective bars and locks.

"They will actually sit, each one under his vine and under his fig tree, and there will be no one 4:4. making them tremble."-Mic.

< -.

"OCTOBER 8, 1968

Surely you want to live in such a wonderful new order as God's Word describes.

Think of it-no more war, crime, violence, poverty, hunger, poor housing or sickness!

What a blessing these conditions will be for those who sincerely love righteousness! And under God's loving adrninistration by his appointed King, Christ Jesus, all mankind will become one united, happy family. From heaven, this righteous rulership will guide, assist and prosper the activities of those who make up the new earthly arrangement of things. Fulfilled will be the Bible prophecy: "There are new heavens [God's kingdom] and a new earth [righteous human society] that we are awaiting according to his promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell."

-2 Pet. 3:13.

The new system will certainly fulfill the promise given through the psalmist, who said of the loving Creator: "You are opening your hand and satisfying the desire of every living thing." (Ps. 145~16)All the proper desires of God-fearing persons will be completely realized under the rule of the Kingdom government. Not only peace, prosperity and health, but also the enjoyment of living among people who are honest, decent, loving and helpful.

Nor will this enjoyment be temporary.

It will not be cut short by death after seventy or eighty years of life. For God's Word guarantees the elimination of death, saying: "He will actually swallow up death forever, and the Lord Jehovah will certainly wipe the tears from all faces."

(Isa. 25 :8) "The righteous themselves will possess the earth, and they will reside forever upon it."-Ps. 37:29.

Even those in the graves will have an opportunity for life in God's new order, for "there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the mrighteous." (Acts 24:15) In this way the resurrected dead will be in position to prove

their loyalty to God and be found worthy of living forever in that restored paradise.

But will not this planet become too crowded with so many millions coming back in the resurrection? No, that will not be the case. Keep in mind that the Creator of the universe regulates the thousands of millions of heavenly bodies with a precision that inspires awe in man.

Surely God is capable of determining and regulating a far smaller number of people to live comfortably on earth. There will be no problem of overcrowding to mar the happiness of that new order. Jehovah will solve any problem that could arise. Hence, we can confidently say: "0 Jehovah of armies, happy is the man that is trusting in you."-Ps. 84:12.

Living then will be true living, in the way the Creator purposed, free from the frustration, irritation, disagreeableness and anxiety that characterizes the lives of millions today. That is why the Bible describes the condition of persons then in this way: "The meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their ezquisite delight in the abundance of peace." (Ps. 37:ll) Yes, those living in that new order will experience such deep peace and contentment that every day will be an "exquisite delight" to them.

Do you not agree that God's purpose for earth and man in the near future is inspiring? Certainly, nothing that any man, organization or government on earth today has done or ever could do remotely compares with what God will do for man in His new order.

Surely no one today can deny the urgent need for a change in the direction in which men and nations are moving.

Many, in fact, long for such a change. Yet they hesitate to believe in the prospect of seeing a global change take place in the near future by God's power. Why? Does their doubting have a sound basis?

AWAKE!

ATIME TO

HE evidence that we are far along in the "last days" can be either good news or bad news to you, depending on the position you take. If you long to be free from a rule that has proved both unsatisfactory and unrighteous and that is torn more and more by discord and confusion; if you really love what is right and have a sincere desire to do the will of your Creator, then this evidence should make you rejoice. Why? Because, as Jesus Christ said: "As these things start to occur, raise yourselves erect and lift your heads up, because pour deliverance is getting near."-Luke 21 :28.

A perfect gzvernment, heaven-based and with heaven's blessing and heaven's power backing i t up, will soon take complete control of this earth. In this way God will answer the prayer: "Let your kingdom come." What better news could there be?

Still some persons may say: "How can you be sure? Maybe it is later than many people think. But maybe it is not as late as some persons claim. People have been mistaken about these prophecies before."

T

even announcing a specific date. Some have gathered groups of people with them and fled to the hills or withdrawn into their houses waiting for the end. Yet, nothing happened. The "end" did not come.

They were guilty of false prophesying.

Why? What was missing?

Missing was the full measure of evidence required in fulfillment of Bible prophecy. Missing from such people were God's truths and the evidence that he was guiding and using them.

But what about today? Today we have the evidence required, all of it. And it is overwhelming! All the many, many parts of the great sign of the "last days" are here, together with verifying Bible chronology.

Take a simple illustration: Suppose on a hot day a t the beginning of summer, someone told you that winter was coming within a week because he had seen some trees without leaves. But those trees could have died from disehse o r age. So, by itself that would not be enough evidence that winter was approaching. Especially so when none of the other trees had shed their leaves, when the heat continued day The Difference True, there have been those in times after day, and when the calendar told you past who predicted an "end to the world," it was just the beginning of summer. You OCTOBER 8, 1968

23

could rightly dismiss the claim of winter's nearness as unfounded.

What, though, if months later you went outside each day in the afternoon and found the temperature approaching the freezing point, with dull gray clouds scudding across the sky? What if you saw that all the trees that were not evergreens had shed their leaves? And what if you, upon inquiring, found that the autumn harvest of crops had taken place weeks ago, and that the migrating birds and animals had already taken leave for warmer climates? What if your calendar showed that the autumn months were a t their close?

Would you still doubt if someone told you that winter was coming very soon?

Would you say he was just guessing or merely expressing his own idea? Or would you acknowledge, on the basis of solid evidence, that he knew the facts and was telling you the truth?

After expressing the many parts that make up the sign of the "last days,"Jesus used a similar illustration with regard to another season, summer, saying : "Note

the fig tree and all the other trees: When they are alreqdy in the bud, by observing i t you know for yourselves that now the summer is near.'YLuke 21:29, 30) Then, as recorded a t Matthew 24:33, 34, he added: "Likewise also you, when you see all these things, know that he is near a t the doors. Truly P say to you that this generation will by no means pass away until all these things occur." We today have an the many parts of that sign, nearly forty of them, being fulfilled within the same generation, and we have God's timetable, his "calendar,"showing that the time has nearly run out for the present unrighteous system of things. This is very different indeed from the situation with those who proclaimed an "end to the world" in earlier generations.

The Majority's Opinion Not a Sound Guide We need to realize that the majority of persons will not be moved by the evidence that God's kingdom has drawn near.

Why? They are not really interested in God's new system taking over control of e a r t h . They do not want to submit to God's rule, preferring to pursue their own selfish desires.

These people will look for ways to reject or ridicule the evidence. But they merely add t o t h e evidence of t h e "last days," for the Bible foretold: "In the last days there will come ridiculers with t h e i r ridicule,

proceeding according to their own desires and saying: 'Where is this promised presence of his? Why, from the day our forefathers fell asleep in death, all things are continuing exactly as from creation's beginning.' "-2 Pet. 3: 3, 4.

Many people today are like persons on a runaway train who pay no attention when someone sincerely tries to warn them that the train is heading for disaster. They keep on with their club-car conversations, discussing matters such' as wages, prices or social injustices. Or they keep on arguing over the merits of political leaders, the latest sports events; or reading, drinking, or playing cards.

Do not such persons fit the description Jesus gave, saying: "For as they were in those days before the flood; eating and drinking, men marrying and women being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark; and they took no rtote uritil the flood came and swept them all away, so the presence of the Son of man will be"?-Matt.

24:38, 39.

Notice that Jesus said "they took no note." But despite this and despite the scoffing of the majority, "the world of that time suffered destruction when it was deluged with water." (2 Pet. 3:6) But note please that Noah and his family had the happy experience of living through that destruction. Why? "Noah proceeded to do according to all that God had commanded him. He did just so."

-Gen. 6:22.

A Parallel Situation in Jesus7Day The attitude of the majority when Jesus was on earth was no different from today. They placed no confidence in his warnings nor the hope he announced.

Jesus told the Jewish leaders that God had abandoned their religious system because of their willful disobedience and religious hypocrisy, saying: "Look! Your OCTOBER 8, 1968

house is abandoned to you." (Matt. 23:38) He warned the people: "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by encamped armies, then know that the desolating of her has drawn near. Then let those in Judea begin fleeing to the mountains, and let those in the midst of her withdraw, and let those in the country places not enter into her; because these are days for meting out justice."-Luke 21: 20-22.

In that same generation, in the year 66 C.E., Roman armies did come against Jerusalem, besieging it as Jesus foretold.

But then, those armies withdrew, as ancient Jewish historian Josephus said: "without any reason in the world." (Wars of the Jews, Book 11, Chapter XIX, sec. 7) Here was the sign Jesus had mentioned and now the opportunity to act upon it!

Christians, confidently believing the truth of what Jesus said, rapidly abandoned Jerusalem and all the surrounding area.

They crossed the Jordan River to the east, getting out of Judean territory altogether.

Those who did not believe Jesus, or a t least doubted him, ignored the sign.

Thinking the Romans would not be back, they resumed their routine of life. In fact, four years later, in 70 C.E., during a religious holiday the Jews flocked into Jerusalem by the hundreds of thousands.

They did the very opposite of what Jesus said to do!

Just a t that time, the Roman armies came back in force! They quickly surrounded Jerusalem, trapping more than a million Jews inside the city. After a siege, those powerful armies of Rome broke through the city's defenses. More than a million Jews died due to famine and disease or were slaughtered, and tens of thousands were taken captive. Their city and its religious temple were put to the torch. By the year 73 C.E.all Judea had been desolated. Those who ignored Jesus'

warning, viewing it as mere "calamity howling," paid with their lives.

Yet, during this very time of horrible destruction, the Christians who had obeyed Jesus lived in blessed security in the mountains across the Jordan River.

No Real Excuse for Doubting Despite all the evidence surrounding them in proof that God's kingdom will soon come against the present wicked system, some still call for added proof. They would like some obviously supernatural phenomena to take place so as to convince them that it is truly later than they had thought. But, when a group of religious leaders wanted Jesus to produce some heavenly display to cause them to believe in him, Jesus said in reproof: "When evening falls you are accustomed to say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is fire-red'; and a t morning, 'It will be wintry, rainy weather today, for the sky is fire-red, but gloomy-looking.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but the signs of the times you cannot interpret."-Matt.

16 :1-3; Luke 12: 54-56.

The Bible shows the true meaning of the "signs of the times" in which we are living. If we believe God's Word we will rejoice. Do you believe it? Or are you perhaps influenced by persons who attempt to discredit and downgrade the Bible's reliability? If so, you should not make the mistake of thinking that such criticism has true scientific basis. Note, for example, what Professor R. D. Wilson said in A Scientific Investigation of the Old Testantent: "Whenever there is sufficient documentary evidence to make an investigation, the statements of the Bible in the original text have stood the test. .

"The chronoloiical and geographical statements are more accurate and reliable than those afforded by any other ancient documents."

..

I

The famous scientist Sir Isaac Newton, a critic of ancient writings, said after examining the Scriptures: "I find more sure marks of authenticity in the New Testament than in any profane history whatever." And modern archaeologist W. F. Albright said in his book Archaeobgy and Israel: "No major contention of Scripture has proved Wistorical."

So, while you may choose to doubt the Bible's authenticity, if you have never made a thorough study of it, then you should be honest enough to admit either to ignorance of its contents or perhaps even prejudice against them. But ignorance or prejudice on such a vital subject and in a time such as we are now experiencing is dangerous indeed. Now, if ever, men and women everywhere need to reexamine their outlook on life, the basis for their hopes and their present course of action, and their reason for their beliefs and convictions.

We sincerely hope that you are one who will open-mindedly consider the facts, and that your faith in God's justice and love and in the truth of his Word continues unaffected by the doubts and scoffings of a world that blindly rushes on in a disastrous course. (2 Cor. 4:4; Matt. 15:14) This system of things is picking up speed in its downward plunge. Will you stay with it and take the consequences, or will you listen to the counsel of God's Word and abandon it?

The time remaining for a decision is short. The opportunity is still before you, like the open door of the ark built by Noah before the Flood, and like the open gates of Jerusalem when Rome's armies temporarily withdrew. But that door of opportunity will soon close for all time.

Prompt action is vital if you would be among the happy survivors of this present system's destruction. What can you do and what will it require of you?

AWAKE?

you that life either. Man's works, however noble, all end in death.

Even the sincere attempt. by means of modern medicine cannot prolong life indefinitely. In this regard the New York Times of October 30, 1966, reported: "At the moment, efforts to lengthen the life span seem to have

.

broken down. . . It is now generally agreed that no single factor is involved in aging. . . the conquest of cancer, heart disease and the like will not lead to a dramatic increase in the life span. Too many weaknesses are built into the human frame to be overcome!'

.

LIKE

a train about to plunge into an abyss, this system of things is about to plunge into destruction. Time is fast running out for it!

If you had the right opportunity to jump from a train that was heading for certain destruction, would you not do so?

True, it might cost you a severe bruising; you might leave behind some of your possessions and the people on the train, but you would save your life.

What will it cost you to have the hope of living through the end of this wicked system of things? What will you have to pay to gain life in God's new order?

The cost to you cannot be measured in money. The apostle Peter once said to a person offering him money for benefits that God gives: "May your silver perish with you, because you thought through money to get possession of the free gift of God."-Acts 8:18-20.

Eternal Life a Gift Similarly, eternal life in God's new order will be a gift: "The gift God gives is everlasting life." (Rom. 6:23) You cannot buy that with all the money in the world. And no human agency can give OCTOBER 8, 1968

So it is futile to look to money or human means for life. Only God can, and will, give eternal life to deserving ones.

Deserving ones? Does this mean that the gift of life will not come to everyone automatically? This is just what it means.

While the gift of eternal life is available to everybody, it will be given only to those who meet the conditions God lays down.dohn 3:35, 36.

What the Cost Is God's Word states: "The world is passing away and so is its desire, but he that dms the will of God remains forever."

-1 John 2: 17.

That is the key to eternal life, the doing of God's will. All the conditions that must be met are included in $hat framework.

So then, if you'want to survive the end of this wicked world and be given the gift of eternal life in God's new system, you need to do God's will.

It is only logical that if you want to live in God's new system you must do his will. What would happen if God allowed people to do whatever they wanted in his new system? Crime, violence, bloodshed, hatred, prejudice and injustice would be-

gin all over again. However, this will not be the case, for God will not again allow such conditions to prevail.-Isa. 11:9.

Therefore, there must be law and order.

And the highest law that results in the best order comes from God. That is why there has to be an obeying of God's righteous requirements. These requirements work to the good of everyone, including the one keeping them. Nor are they burdensome: "This is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments; and yet his commandments are not burdensome."-1 John 5 :3.

Jesus Christ said: "Come to me, all you who are toiling and loaded down, and I will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and become my disciples, for I am mildtempered and lowly in heart, and you will find refreshment for your souls. For my yoke is kindly and my load is light."

-Matt. 11:28-30.

A loving God will certainly not put burdens upon you that you cannot carry.

Keeping God's commandments, doing his will, is not a heavy, depressing burden.

Instead, it is refreshing, uplifting, light.

Spend Time and Effort To do God's will, you must first know what it is. To find that out, you need to spend time and effort.

Is that too high a price to pay for learning about eternal life? Surely not. The first-century Christians willingly spent time and effort, as have hundreds of thousands of sincere Christians today, to learn God's will. They eagerly looked into God's Word to determine the truth: "They received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, carefully examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so."-Acts 17:11.

There is no substitute for this taking in of Bible knowledge. Your hope to gain eternal life depends upon it: "This means

everlasting life, their taking in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." (John 17:3) Yes, the only way to survive the end of this wicked world and to gain life in God's new order is by doing God's will.

And the only way to find out God's will is to look into his Word, the Bible.

True, this may take some time and effort from other pursuits. But consider this: you now probably work about forty hours a week to make your living. Or, if you are a housewife, you work hard all week caring for the needs of the family.

Yet, this investment of time and effort does not lead toward eternal life because even ungodly persons do as much. However, with far less time and effort, you can take in the knowledge that will start you on the way to eternal life.

Do Not Be Diverted by Opposition You need to understand that not all persons have respect for God or for his Word.

Some oppose. Others openly ridicule.

(2 Pet. 3:3, 4) Do not be surprised, therefore, to have opposition arise from some of your friends, or even from close relatives, when you begin to study the Bible.

Jesus himself said that this might happen. (Matt. 10:36) If this does happen, and others oppose your learning God's will, then what? Should you abandon your study of God's Word? Remember, the Bible says of men: "Not one of them can by any means redeem even a brother, nor give to God a ransom for him . . . that he should still live forever and not see the pit."-Ps. 49:7, 9.

The gift of eternal life will not come from any human, only from God. So do not let anyone divert you from taking in knowledge of God. Indeed, although some may oppose you, in time, with patience and tact on your part, and with evidence that your life has been changed for the AWAKE!

'better by your knowledge of God; i t may influence such opposers to accept God and his Word.-1 Pet. 3:1, 2.

Also, what good would you do for opposers by going along with them to certain disaster? If you were on a train headed for a crash, could you do anyone on it any good by staying with the train just because others refuse to leave? All you would do is lose your $ownlife. So staying with this system as it heads toward its end will not benefit anyone.

you. At that time they will keep calling me, but I shall not answer; they will keep looking for me, but they will not find me, for the reason that they hated knowledge, and the fear of Jehovah they did not choose. They did not consent to my counsel; they disrespected all my reproof. So they will eat from the fruitage of their way."-Prov.

1:24-31.

But'this will not be so for those 'who do take in knowledge of God, who listen to his counsel and reproof, and who then apply themselves to the doing of his will: No Time to Lose "As for the one listening to me, he will The end of this wicked system is ap- reside in security and be undisturbed proaching rapidly. It is much later than from dread of calamity." (Prov. 1:33) Of most people realize. Hence, there is no 'this Eind of person the Bible says: 'The time to lose in working for survival. upright are the ones that will reside in Do not be misled into thinking you can the earth, and the blameless are the ones 2:21. ignore the matter and that God will some- that will be left over in it."-Prov.

Do you want to be how favor you when "left over" in t h e the end comes. No, AFtTICkES 1N THE NEXT ISSUE e arth when this you cannot gain + W h a t H a s Happened t o Respect for wicked system is aneternal life without 's Ark H a v e Held All Those nihilated soon a t ArGod's approval, and mageddon? (Dan. 2: you cannot get God's approval without 44) Then begin takmeeting his condiing in knowledge of tions: "Jehovah is with you as long as you God right away. How? By a systematic prove to be with him; and if you search study of the Bible with those who love for him, he will let himself be found by God's Word and who live by it. Write to you, but if you leave him he will leave Awake! magazine and request such a Bible study in the privacy of your own home. you."-2 Chron. 15:2.

A qualified minister, one of Jehovah's witThose who refuse to listen to God will nesses, will be sent to show you the most not survive the end of this system. The practical and beneficial way of underGreat Judge of all mankind now causes standing your Bible. There will be no cost .his wisdom to cry out and give warning: of money to you. But it will cost some of "Because I have called out but you keep your time, about one hour a week. refusing, . and you keep neglecting all You have no time to lose in making my counsel, and my reproof you have not friends with God, because time is rapidly accepted, I also, for my part, shall laugh running out for this wicked system of a t your own disaster, .I shall mock when things. It is very close to plunging into the and your own chasm of Armageddon. Therefore, take what you dread comes, disaster gets here just like a stormwind, steps quickly to work for survival and for when distress and hard times come upon eternal life in God's new order.

..

...

OCTOBER 8,

1968

tion of these very moral standards themselves." Explains Herberg: "It is here that we find a breakdown in morality in a radical sense, in a sense almost without precedent in our western history." I t is the present unprecedented moral breakdown that the Bible pointed to as an identifying mark of "the last days!'-2 Tim. 3:1-3.

World Diseases @ According to

Quake K i i s Thousands @ The northeastern province

Orthodox Religion Dying @ At no time in history has

the future of religion in Chris.tendom been so uncertain. A profound revolution in religious thought is sweeping the churches. These were the conclusions of two noted Berkeley sociologists, Rodney Stark and Charles Gock. The authors pointed out that religious ferment and skepticism are not new, but the difference this time is that the challenge comes from Christian theologians. As for churchgoers, "a near majority reject such traditional articles of faith as Christ's miracles, life after death, the promise of the Second Coming, the Virgin Birth, and an overwhelming majority Chile's Disastrous Drought reject the existence of the @ The worst drought in 102 Devil." T h e s e m e n a d d , years has seriously affected 'Sooner or later the churches the fertile central valley of will have to face the fact that Chile, threatening the live- orthodoxy is dead." stock. the centurv-old vineyards, the drinking water and Moral Standards Repudiated electric power plants. The @ "There has always been a drought has already cost the widespread violation of moral nation $100,000,000. A modest standards. Today's crisis is no estimate of the deaths due to different," many persons aslack of water and fodder is sert. But there is a difference, set at 150,000 head of cattle. as the distinguished Jewish Some 300,000 sheep are said philosopher Will Herberg obto have died. Rural families serves: "The moral crisis of numbering some 6,000 are said our time consists primarily not to be badly in need of food in the widespread violation of supplies. The situation in Chile accepted m o r a l s t a n d a r d s was termed by officials as "ex- -when has any age been free of that?-but in the repudiatremely serious."

of Khurasan in Iran was struck by a severe earthquake on September 2. More than 10,000 people were killed. Over one hundred villages were said to have been destroyed or damaged and 100,000 persons left homeless. The mud-brick homes of peasants were crumbled easily by the earthquake, which was said to be as strong as the one six years ago that killed 12,000 people in Iran.

These earthquakes remind us of Jesus' words about what we might expect to see in the last days of this system of things.

-Matt. 24:7.

30

the World Health Organization, the following is a table of various diseases in the world today and the number of persons afflicted by them: Schistosomiasis-200 million; filariasis -190 million; hookworm450 m i l l i o n ; onchocerciasis50 million; Chagas' disease -7 million; leprosy-11 million; trachoma400 million.

Blood and Money

+

During World War I1 the United States reported 292,131 dead in battle and 115,185 dead from other causes, six times as many as were killed in action in World War I. The money costs of World War 11 are said to be $1,154,000,000,000 -with property damage, exclusive of that in China, corning to $230,900,000,000. There have been 39 wars fought since World War 11. What a grand relief mankind will experience when God makes wars to cease from the earth!

Alive for 4,000 Years @ T h e b r i s t l e c o n e pines (Pinus aristata) that cling to

the 11,000-foot arid peaks of the White Mountains of eastern California furnish remarkable proof that life can continue for thousands of years.

A c a r e f u l c o u n t of t h e i r growth rings reveal them to be older than the 3,500-yearold sequoias. So far, more than 1,000 trees have been found that exceed 4,000 years of age, indicating that some of these may have begun growing soon AWAKE?

after the great Noachian flood of 2370 B.C.E. The bristlecone pines serve to strengthen one's faith in the Bible's promise of everlasting life in God's rapidly approaching new order of things. We are assured, "like the days of a tree will the days of my [God's] people be!'

-1sa. 65: 22.

Flood Verified 6 Alaska is the scene of discoveries that are of keen interest to Bible students and scientists alike. According to an editorial in the East Liverpool Review on July 26, "scientists say vast herds of mastodons and other animals in the Arctic were killed without visible sign of violence, some of them before they could swallow a mouthful of food.

And t h e y w e r e f r o z e n so quickly that every cell of their bodies was perfectly preserved.

Some of the scientists believe

that a flood, as related in the Bible, caused the quick deaths.

They contend that a vast quantity of moisture suspended high above the earth created a 'greenhouse effect' which explains grass found in the stomachs of the frozen animals in the polar regions. When the water blanket suddenly crashed to the earth, it created the flood according to the theory. Then, with the insulating vapor removed, the polar regions suddenly were plunged into a 'deep freeze' and millions of animals were quick-frozen."

tives looked on in horror. "The pope is afraid his position is being nibbled away at. He wants to stop anything he can.

But he can't stop us anymore.

We just don't pay attention when he talks," said a teaching priest. He went on to say that liberal priests want "complete honesty'' in the church, and added, "but that's something you just can't have in this church." Speaking for himself and other liberals, he went on to say: "The more the pope says, the more we have to disregard him. It's exactly like the fabled credibility gap between the U.S. government and the people!'

Back-talking Priests 6 Popes, as a rule, are not used to tongue-lashings at the hands of priests. When Pope Paul VI recently spoke out against too rapid changes in the Roman Catholic Church, the Catholic liberals did not hesitate to lash back a t him verbally, while the conserva-

Criminal Society @ There was an all-time high of 12,093 murders in the United States last year. Also, almost three times as many of America's cars are stolen each year as are produced in the Soviet Union.

This issue of Awake! is special, but every issue contains information just as vital, just as interesting. Why chance missing an issue? Make certain that you and your family are fully aware at all times of the current trend of events and their significance. Your future and theirs depends upon your accurate knowledge of what lies ahead.

Keep awake!

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Do You Know What the Bibk Teaches?

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Tkie Bible need not be a mysterious book to you. Remember, it was not written for just a few men to read or to understand. God's prophets, and the other men he moved by his spirit, were sent to speak to nations, to cities, to people in all walks of life. And what they spoke or saw in visions was written down for everyone and proclaimed far and wide so that all would know what Gpd's will for them was. Jesus did not speak in secret either. Nor did he confine his commission to teach to a few select men.

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